Do PFAS chemicals raise your cholesterol?
Human studies link some PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, with higher total and LDL cholesterol. The effect is usually small, but it is consistent enough to reduce avoidable exposure.
What's actually in it
PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are used for oil, water, heat, and stain resistance. People can be exposed through contaminated water, food packaging, dust, some textiles, and some nonstick coatings.
PFAS can stay in the body for years. That is why small daily exposures matter.
What the research says
A 2023 meta-analysis in Environmental Health Perspectives reviewed 29 adult studies. Every interquartile-range increase in PFOA was linked with a 2.1 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol and a 1.4 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol. PFOS was linked with a 2.6 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol and a 1.9 mg/dL increase in LDL cholesterol.
A 2026 study in Environmental Science: Advances tested serum from people with drinking-water or firefighting exposure. People with higher summed PFAS had higher levels of several lipid species, especially triglycerides and phosphatidylethanolamines.
This is not a reason to panic over one pan or one meal. It is a reason to reduce avoidable PFAS exposure. For the kitchen, choose stainless steel, cast iron, glass, or ceramic instead of PFAS-treated nonstick or grease-resistant packaging when you can.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Associations between Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposures and Blood Lipid Levels among Adults-A Meta-Analysis. | Environ Health Perspect | 2023 |
| Increasing PFAS concentrations in human serum correlate with elevated blood lipid levels. | Env Sci Adv | 2026 |