PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid — a PFAS compound formerly used in manufacturing non-stick coatings and waterproof fabrics.
ADWG Guideline
0.56 ug/L
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is a synthetic chemical from the PFAS family. It was widely used in the production of non-stick cookware (Teflon), waterproof clothing, and food packaging.
Why it matters
The ADWG sets a guideline of 0.56 ug/L (560 ng/L) for PFOA. Although PFOA has been phased out of most manufacturing globally:
- It persists indefinitely in the environment
- It can still be present in older contaminated sites
- Studies have linked long-term exposure to kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, and pregnancy complications
Australian guideline
The NHMRC revised the PFOA guideline in 2025. Most Australian drinking water supplies have PFOA levels well below the guideline value, with detections typically limited to areas near known contamination sources.
Related Terms
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