Understanding your personal PFAS exposure requires measuring actual blood concentrations, not just estimating exposure based on where you live or what water you drink. PFAS blood testing has become increasingly accessible and provides valuable information for making informed decisions about filtration, healthcare monitoring, and lifestyle changes.
What PFAS Blood Tests Measure
PFAS blood tests measure the concentration of specific PFAS compounds in serum — the liquid component of blood after cells are removed. Most clinical PFAS panels test for 6–14 specific compounds including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, and several others. Results are typically reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or equivalent units.
Different tests vary in which compounds they include. When selecting a PFAS blood test, confirming that the panel includes the compounds most relevant to your suspected exposure source — based on known contamination in your area — ensures the most useful results.
Where to Get Tested
PFAS blood testing is available through several pathways. Clinical laboratory companies such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp offer PFAS serum panels that can be ordered by physicians. Several direct-to-consumer testing services also offer PFAS blood tests without requiring a physician order, though results should be reviewed with a healthcare provider familiar with PFAS health effects.
Some state health departments in areas with known PFAS contamination offer free or subsidized testing for affected residents. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducts community exposure assessments in highly contaminated areas and may offer blood testing as part of community health studies.
Interpreting Your Results
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published a landmark 2022 report providing clinical guidance for interpreting PFAS blood test results. The report defines clinical action levels based on summed PFAS concentrations:
- Below 7 ng/mL: Reassurance and general exposure reduction advice
- 7–14 ng/mL: Enhanced clinical follow-up and exposure reduction
- 14–21 ng/mL: More intensive clinical monitoring recommended
- Above 21 ng/mL: Individual clinical care, comprehensive monitoring
These thresholds provide a framework for clinicians and patients to guide medical monitoring decisions based on measured exposure levels.
Using Blood Test Results to Guide Filtration Decisions
Blood test results, combined with water quality testing, provide a comprehensive picture of exposure. If blood levels are elevated and water testing confirms PFAS contamination, implementing reverse osmosis or other effective filtration directly addresses the primary source. Retesting blood PFAS levels after one to two years of filtration use can help confirm that exposure reduction is occurring, though the long half-lives of PFAS mean that blood levels decline slowly.