Can PFAS exposure be linked with kidney function changes?
caution
What is actually in it
PFAS means per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This chemical class includes older PFAS such as PFOS and newer replacements such as 6:2 Cl-PFESA.
PFAS can be used for grease resistance, stain resistance, water resistance, and nonstick performance. Nonstick pans are one possible source, but this study looked at PFAS exposure more broadly.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Journal of Hazardous Materials combined human epidemiology and mouse experiments to study PFAS, inflammation, and kidney function.
In the human analysis, both legacy and newer PFAS were linked with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, a common measure of kidney filtration. The study found that systemic inflammation partly explained these links. For 6:2 Cl-PFESA, white blood cell count mediated 7.91% of the association with lower estimated kidney filtration.
In mice, Cl-PFESA exposure increased serum creatinine, and the inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor alpha was strongly linked with that creatinine change.
This does not prove that one pan damages one person’s kidneys. It does support reducing avoidable PFAS contact, especially in daily food routines. Choose stainless steel, ceramic, porcelain, glass, or wood when they fit the job, and avoid worn nonstick coatings.