Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a complex group of several thousands of manufactured chemicals. They are very stable and last a very long time in the environment.

PFAS are used in stain repellents, non-stick coatings, waterproof materials and flame-resistant materials. These substances have existed since the 1940s. They are now found in many common consumer goods.

PFAS are found everywhere in the environment. The public is exposed to them through various sources. Food is generally the main source of exposure. Drinking water, bottled water and household dust are also sources of PFAS.

A very wide range of consumer products contain them, including:

• fire-fighting foam
• non-stick cookware (such as Teflon^TM)
• food packaging (such as, popcorn bags, or fast-food wrappers and containers)
• water-resistant or stain-resistant products used in fabric (such as outdoor clothing made with Gore-Tex^TM, or furniture and carpets treated with Scotchgard^TM)
• cosmetic products, and personal care products

Studies indicate that exposure to certain PFAS may be associated with health effects. A few studies suggest that, in the long term, some PFAS may affect the liver, the immune system, the kidneys and the thyroid, for example. Many uncertainties remain, however, and our knowledge about the possible links between PFAS and health is evolving very quickly.

Several health effects associated with PFAS may also be linked to other chemical compounds or other causes. It is therefore difficult to connect specific health problems with exposure to PFAS.

Government actions have been initiated to limit the use of certain PFAS. For example, the federal government has adopted a regulation banning the manufacture, use, sale and import of certain PFAS and the products containing them.

People can also personally choose to reduce their exposure to PFAS by doing their best to avoid the products containing them. For further information, see the section Limiter son exposition aux SPFA (in French only).

Government authorities are continuing to keep track of the growing knowledge about PFAS and their presence in drinking water and the environment.

In general, public exposure to PFAS is lower in drinking water than in food. Everyone can continue to consume drinking water as they normally do. For some specific situations, the responsible authorities may issue recommendations and guidance to protect public health. The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs is continuing its assessment of the best way to manage PFAS in drinking water, in the light of the evolving scientific knowledge.

Currently, there are no PFAS standards for drinking water in Québec, and analysis of PFAS in the water supplied by drinking water systems is not mandatory. 

Health Canada is proposing a precautionary approach that aims to reduce exposure to PFAS. An objective for drinking water quality was published on August 9, 2024. This objective is set at 30 ng/L for the sum of concentrations of 25 substances, including PFAS still in use and certain precursors. This objective is not intended as a basis for regulation.

• Les SPFA et l’eau potable (in French only)
• Composés perfluorés dans l’eau potable au Québec – Suivis réalisés de 2016 à 2021 (in French only)
• Les substances per et polyfluoroalkylées (PFAS) (in French only)