Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)CAS 335-67-1
The legacy long-chain PFAS — kidney and testicular cancer, immune suppression, half-life 3-5 years.
Toxic Chemical Databases
Substance-specific listings — these flags are for Perfluorooctanoic Acid alone, not for the broader family.
Chemical Type
Long-Chain C8 Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acid
Chemical Description
PFOA was the polymerization aid behind PTFE manufacturing for half a century. After community-level drinking-water contamination studies in West Virginia and Ohio established kidney and testicular cancer signals, EPA phased out U.S. production by 2015. The molecule has a serum half-life of 3-5 years in humans; nearly every American has detectable PFOA in their blood. IARC classified PFOA as Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) in 2023.
Biological Activity
Severity scores specific to this substance, NOT the parent family average. Differences between siblings are real and meaningful.
Top Health Consequences
- Kidney and testicular cancer — IARC Group 1 (2023)
- Reduced antibody response to vaccines
- Elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia
- Bioaccumulation with 3-5 year human serum half-life
Pathways of Exposure
- Drinking water contamination (the dominant route in affected communities)
- Ingestion of legacy non-stick cookware coating breakdown
- Diet — bioaccumulation in fish, meat, and dairy
- Inhalation of fluoropolymer degradation products
Building Materials with Perfluorooctanoic Acid
Listed alphabetically — product categories where this specific substance appears.
Architectural PTFE Membrane Roofing
Fluoropolymer-Coated Architectural Fabric
Legacy Non-Stick Cookware Coatings
Stain-Resistant Carpet Treatments