PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

El Paso County Public Health does not provide regulatory oversight for drinking water. To learn more about Colorado’s PFAS and drinking water regulation visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

CDPHE: Chemicals from firefighting foam and other sources

What are PFAS?

  • PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. PFAS were previously referred to as perfluorochemicals (PFCs).
  • Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment.
  • PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe.
  • Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
  • There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. This makes it challenging to study and assess the potential human health and environmental risks.
  • Learn more about our current understanding of PFAS.

Text Links List