PFOA: What is it and Why is it Dangerous?

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the most notorious per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has been at the center of environmental and legal battles for decades. Once widely used in Teflon™, firefighting foam, and industrial applications, PFOA is now linked to cancer, immune disorders, and birth defects. The chemical’s persistence in the environment and human body has led to its classification as a “forever chemical.”

The DuPont scandal exposed decades of corporate misconduct, revealing that DuPont knew about PFOA’s dangers but continued to use it—leading to widespread water contamination and severe health impacts. Lawsuits and regulatory action have since forced the phase-out of PFOA, but its legacy remains in the form of lawsuits, regulatory debates, and contaminated communities worldwide.

This article examines how DuPont’s actions contributed to one of the biggest chemical contamination scandals in history, the health risks of PFOA exposure, ongoing legal battles, and what’s being done to clean up this dangerous chemical.

PFOA was developed in the 1940s and quickly became a key ingredient in manufacturing nonstick coatings, waterproof fabrics, and stain-resistant materials. Unlike its sister chemical, PFOS, which was primarily used in firefighting foam and water repellents, PFOA’s widespread application centered around consumer goods and industrial manufacturing.

• Nonstick Cookware: PFOA was a crucial component in the production of Teflon™, DuPont’s revolutionary nonstick coating for cookware, making it one of the most commercially successful PFAS chemicals.
• Waterproof and Stain-Resistant Fabrics: The textile industry used PFOA in waterproof outdoor gear, carpets, and upholstery to enhance stain and water resistance.
• Food Packaging: PFOA was used in fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and pizza boxes due to its ability to resist grease and moisture.
• Industrial and Chemical Processing: PFOA was used in electrical insulation, lubricants, and metal coatings, particularly in aerospace and automotive industries.
• Firefighting Foams (AFFF): While less prevalent than PFOS in firefighting foams, PFOA was still present in some formulations used at military bases and airports.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Companies like DuPont, 3M, and Chemours produced vast quantities of PFOA, leading to contamination in factory wastewater and air emissions.
• Cookware and Textile Production: Factories producing Teflon™ cookware, stain-resistant carpets, and waterproof clothing released PFOA into nearby water sources and air.
• Paper and Packaging Plants: The food packaging industry used PFOA for grease resistance, with contaminated wastewater discharged into rivers and groundwater.
• Military and Aviation Sites: Though primarily associated with PFOS-based AFFF foams, some PFOA-containing foams contributed to water contamination at military bases and training centers.

Despite its widespread use, evidence emerged as early as the 1960s that PFOA posed serious health risks. However, corporations continued using it, largely ignoring or covering up its dangers, leading to widespread contamination in drinking water, soil, and human blood worldwide.

Internal documents from DuPont and 3M, released through lawsuits, show that both companies knew about PFOA’s health risks decades before the public did:

• 1961: DuPont scientists found that PFOA could cause liver damage in animals.
• 1978: 3M discovered that PFOA accumulates in human blood and does not break down easily.
• 1981: DuPont’s internal research revealed that PFOA caused birth defects in lab animals—and in some workers at its Teflon™ plant.
• 1991: DuPont detected high levels of PFOA in drinking water near its Washington Works plant in West Virginia but did not report it.
• 2001: An independent farmer, Wilbur Tennant, sued DuPont, claiming PFOA from a landfill had poisoned his cattle. This case exposed internal documents proving DuPont had hidden contamination risks.

The case that truly uncovered DuPont’s deception was filed by corporate defense attorney Robert Bilott in the early 2000s. This case was the subject of a recent 2019 Netflix movie called Dark Waters.

Rob Bilott represented thousands of residents in Parkersburg, West Virginia, whose drinking water was contaminated with PFOA.

Key legal milestones in this case:

• 2004: DuPont settled a class-action lawsuit for $70 million, but did not admit wrongdoing.
• 2005: The EPA fined DuPont $16.5 million for failing to disclose PFOA’s risks—one of the largest environmental fines at the time.
• 2017: DuPont and its spinoff company, Chemours, agreed to pay $671 million to settle 3,500 personal injury claims linked to PFOA exposure.
• 2023: Additional lawsuits continue, with new claims from military bases and contaminated communities.

Scientific research has established a strong connection between PFOA exposure and a range of severe health conditions. While PFOA and PFOS belong to the same family of PFAS chemicals, their health impacts differ due to variations in chemical structure, bioaccumulation, and biological effects. PFOA primarily affects organ function, particularly the kidneys, liver, and reproductive system, whereas PFOS has a stronger impact on immune function, neurodevelopment, and metabolic processes.

Below are the primary health concerns linked to PFOA exposure, with detailed explanations of their impact on the body.

PFOA has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and has been strongly linked to multiple forms of cancer. Long-term exposure to PFOA increases the likelihood of DNA damage, cellular mutations, and unchecked tumor growth, particularly in organs that filter toxins.

• Kidney Cancer: A major study from the C8 Health Project found a statistically significant link between elevated PFOA blood levels and renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. Because the kidneys filter blood, they are highly vulnerable to the toxic accumulation of PFOA.
• Testicular Cancer: Research has shown that PFOA disrupts hormonal balance and reproductive function, leading to an increased risk of testicular cancer, especially among individuals exposed to contaminated water sources.
• Liver and Pancreatic Cancer: Chronic PFOA exposure leads to hepatic stress, fatty liver disease, and abnormal cell proliferation, increasing the risk of liver and pancreatic tumors. Animal studies have consistently demonstrated the carcinogenic potential of PFOA in liver tissues.
• Thyroid Cancer: Studies have shown that PFOA can interfere with thyroid hormone regulation, leading to cellular mutations and tumor growth in the thyroid gland.
• Brain Cancer: PFOA has been detected in brain tissues, and research suggests it may contribute to glioblastoma and other central nervous system tumors through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Epidemiological studies have linked PFOA exposure to an increased risk of blood cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, due to its effects on the immune system and bone marrow cell mutations.

PFOA exposure has been linked to suppressed immune function, reduced vaccine efficacy, and increased autoimmune disease risk. However, PFOA primarily impacts immune function through organ toxicity, while PFOS directly suppresses white blood cell activity and antibody production. Some of the ways that PFOA accumulation can manifest in immune system dysfunction are:

• Reduced Vaccine Effectiveness: A landmark study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children exposed to high PFOA levels had significantly lower antibody responses to routine vaccinations, compromising long-term immunity.
• Increased Risk of Autoimmune Disorders: PFOA has been associated with an elevated risk of thyroid disease and thyroid-related autoimmune disorders.

PFOA has been shown to disrupt fetal development, impair fertility, and cause hormonal imbalances in both men and women. Due to its ability to cross the placenta and accumulate in amniotic fluid, pregnant women exposed to PFOA have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes.

• Miscarriage and Preterm Birth: Studies have linked PFOA exposure to higher rates of spontaneous abortion and preterm labor, likely due to hormonal disruptions and placental toxicity.
• Low Birth Weight and Developmental Delays: Both PFOA and PFOS contribute to poor fetal development, but PFOA exposure has been more closely tied to low birth weight in newborns, versus PFOS which is tied more closely to cognitive and developmental impairments in newborns.
• Reduced Male Fertility: High levels of PFOA in the bloodstream have been correlated with lower sperm count, reduced sperm motility, and increased risk of erectile dysfunction in men.
• Menstrual and Hormonal Irregularities in Women: PFOA exposure has been associated with irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and early menopause, all of which can impact fertility.

PFOA has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, arterial plaque buildup, and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism behind these effects involves disruption of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.

• Elevated LDL (Bad) Cholesterol: Studies from the C8 Science Panel found that individuals exposed to PFOA had significantly higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a key risk factor for heart disease.
• Increased Risk of Hypertension: PFOA disrupts vascular function and nitric oxide production, leading to chronic high blood pressure and an increased risk of stroke.
• Cardiac Arrhythmias and Heart Failure: Long-term exposure has been linked to irregular heartbeats, heart muscle inflammation, and early onset heart disease, particularly in individuals with preexisting conditions.

PFOA has been banned or restricted in many countries, but it remains in the environment due to its long half-life. Key regulatory updates:

• 2015: U.S. manufacturers voluntarily phased out PFOA production under EPA pressure.
• 2022: The EPA proposed new drinking water limits for PFOA (4 parts per trillion).
• 2023: The EU announced plans for a total PFAS ban, including PFOA.
• Ongoing: Lawsuits are pushing for corporate accountability and large-scale cleanups.

Thousands of people have filed lawsuits against DuPont, 3M, and Chemours for illnesses linked to PFOA exposure. Ongoing litigation includes:

• Residents near contaminated water supplies in multiple states.
• Workers in PFAS manufacturing plants with high exposure levels.
• Military personnel and firefighters exposed to AFFF foam contaminated with PFOA.

As more communities discover PFOA contamination, lawsuits will likely continue.

Future developments include:

• Higher EPA cleanup standards, forcing companies to pay for remediation.
• More states implementing strict PFAS drinking water limits.
• Legislation banning PFAS in consumer products, reducing exposure.

The DuPont PFOA scandal exposed decades of corporate deception, resulting in lawsuits, fines, and regulatory crackdowns. Although PFOA has been phased out, its toxic legacy persists in contaminated water supplies, military bases, and other affected communities.

As scientific research continues, legal battles for victims of PFOA exposure are expected to grow. If you suspect PFOA contamination has affected your health, it is crucial to get regular health screenings for PFOA-specific diseases, stay informed about your legal options, and demand environmental regulations that limit PFOA contamination.