Most people have been exposed to these chemicals through consumer products, and virtually all Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. These chemicals have been widely used for decades in industrial applications and consumer products.
PFAS are not naturally occurring; when PFAS are spilled into to the environment they can seep into groundwater and stay there for many years and potentially travel great distances. PFAS have been found in surface water as a result of a release from an industrial facility using these chemicals. PFAS have been found in groundwater below industrial sites, particularly airports, firefighting/training sites, and landfills.