Introduction
For decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used to make life easier—keeping food packaging grease-proof, fabrics stain-resistant, and cookware non-stick. But beneath their convenience lies a dangerous reality: these so-called “forever chemicals” don’t break down in the environment or the human body. Instead, they persist, accumulate, and cause harm.
Today, PFAS contamination is no longer a problem confined to industrial sites or military bases. Studies confirm that PFAS show up in our food, drinking water, household goods, and even in our bloodstreams. As consumer awareness grows, regulators tighten limits, and lawsuits mount, producers, municipalities, and healthcare providers all face the same question: how do we detect and manage PFAS risk?
At CMDC Labs, we see PFAS testing as more than compliance—it’s about protecting trust. Whether in food, water, or packaging, independent verification is the only way to turn an invisible risk into actionable data.
What Are PFAS—and Why Are They Called “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS are a class of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals developed since the 1940s. They are prized for their ability to resist heat, water, and oil. This has made them essential in:
- Nonstick cookware coatings (like Teflon).
- Grease-resistant fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags.
- Water-repellent outdoor gear and carpeting.
- Firefighting foams.
- Medical devices and industrial applications.
The same chemical stability that makes PFAS useful also makes them persistent. They don’t degrade naturally, meaning they build up in soil, groundwater, the food chain, and human bodies.
The nickname “forever chemicals” reflects this troubling endurance. Once present, PFAS remain—posing risks for decades or even centuries.
PFAS in Your Food
Food is one of the most direct routes of PFAS exposure. Independent studies have found PFAS in:
- Dairy products from cows grazing near contaminated fields.
- Fish and shellfish from polluted waterways.
- Packaged foods where chemicals migrate from grease-proof wrappers.
- Leafy greens and grains irrigated with contaminated water.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed detections of PFAS in multiple food commodities. Some food contact materials are now under bans or restrictions in states like California, Maine, and Washington.
The challenge for food producers: contamination can occur at any point—farm soil, irrigation water, processing, or packaging. Without testing, it is impossible to know whether PFAS are present and at what levels.
PFAS in Your Water
PFAS contamination of water is perhaps the most high-profile aspect of the crisis. The EPA has proposed new enforceable drinking water limits as low as 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for compounds like PFOA and PFOS.
In Colorado and across the U.S., PFAS hot spots are often linked to military bases, airports, or manufacturing plants where firefighting foams or industrial discharges seeped into groundwater. But increasingly, smaller community wells and municipal systems are discovering PFAS at levels that trigger public concern and regulatory action.
The challenge for utilities and residents: standard water tests aren’t enough. Detecting PFAS requires specialized sampling (PFAS-free equipment), trace-level liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and validated laboratory methods.
PFAS in Your Clothes and Home
PFAS exposure doesn’t stop at the dinner table or tap water. These chemicals are woven into daily life:
- Water-resistant jackets and stain-proof furniture.
- Carpets, rugs, and even children’s products like car seats.
- Cosmetics, dental floss, and waterproof mascara.
- Cleaning supplies and waxes.
Over time, PFAS can shed into household dust, increasing exposure through inhalation or ingestion. While less studied than food and water routes, this “indoor exposure” is a growing area of scientific and regulatory focus.
Health Risks of PFAS Exposure
Mounting evidence connects PFAS exposure to a wide range of health impacts:
- Cancer: increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer.
- Immune disruption: reduced vaccine response and increased infections.
- Reproductive issues: lower fertility, complications in pregnancy.
- Developmental impacts: lower birth weights, hormonal changes.
- Cholesterol and thyroid disease: long-term metabolic disruptions.
Because PFAS accumulate over time, even low-level, chronic exposure matters. Communities with contaminated wells often see elevated PFAS levels in blood samples years after exposure stops.
The Regulatory Landscape: A Patchwork of Change
Regulators are responding, but unevenly. Some highlights include:
- EPA: new enforceable drinking water standards proposed in 2023.
- FDA: voluntary phase-outs of certain PFAS in food packaging, but limited nationwide bans.
- States: more than a dozen states have passed bans or limits on PFAS in packaging, textiles, or firefighting foams.
This patchwork means that businesses face different rules depending on where they operate, while consumers remain confused about their exposure. Independent, AOAC-compliant PFAS testing provides clarity in this shifting landscape.
The Role of Independent Testing Labs Like CMDC Labs
At CMDC Labs, based in Longmont, Colorado, we help transform PFAS concern into actionable insights. Our PFAS testing services include:
- Water Testing:
- Ultra-trace LC-MS/MS methods.
- PFAS-free sampling kits.
- Compliance with EPA and state detection limits.
- Food & Beverage Testing:
- Detection of PFAS migration from packaging.
- Testing in dairy, produce, meat, and seafood.
- Validation for export markets with strict PFAS rules.
- Packaging & Materials Testing:
- Screening recycled plastics and food contact materials.
- Identifying PFAS presence in coatings and films.
- Environmental Testing:
- Groundwater and soil monitoring near industrial sites.
- Community well and municipal water analysis.
Why it matters: Independent, accredited labs ensure that results are defensible in court, credible with regulators, and trusted by consumers.
Lessons for Producers and Communities
The growing PFAS crisis delivers three clear lessons:
- You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Without testing, PFAS remain invisible—and risks persist.
- Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. Staying ahead of regulation protects reputation and avoids costly recalls or lawsuits.
- Trust is earned through transparency. Producers and municipalities that openly test, share results, and act on them will earn long-term consumer confidence.
Conclusion
PFAS are everywhere—our food, water, clothes, and homes. They are called “forever chemicals” for good reason: once they enter our environment, they linger, accumulate, and threaten health for generations.
But there is a way forward. By investing in independent PFAS testing, producers, regulators, and communities can shift from fear to facts. CMDC Labs is proud to help lead that shift—offering science-backed, AOAC-compliant testing that transforms uncertainty into trust.
In a world where PFAS are nearly unavoidable, the smartest step is to measure, manage, and mitigate. That’s how families, businesses, and communities move from vulnerability to resilience.
Sources: NRDC (PFAS overview, Aug 2025); U.S. EPA proposed drinking water standards (2023); FDA updates on PFAS in food packaging; CDC & ATSDR PFAS health studies; peer-reviewed literature on PFAS exposure and health impacts.
