Analysis of the relevance and feasibility of monitoring the health status of French populations potentially exposed or overexposed to PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), derived from organic synthetic chemistry, constitute a large family of compounds that have been used since the 1950s in numerous industrial and consumer products due to their water-, grease-, and heat-resistant properties. Due to their persistence in the environment, their potential for bioaccumulation, and their ubiquity in various environments (water, soil, air, food), these substances are now detected in various human biological matrices (blood, breast milk, placenta, etc.). The health effects potentially associated with PFAS are numerous: cancers, immune system disorders, endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In response to their ubiquitous presence and their health effects, a coordinated national response has been established through an interministerial action plan on PFAS, published in January 2023. This plan notably includes, in its second priority area, strengthening surveillance of exposures, contamination, and health impacts in the general population. Action 9-2 specifically aims to assess the relevance and feasibility of monitoring the health status of populations potentially exposed or overexposed to PFAS. This report aims to assess the relevance and feasibility of monitoring the health status of populations potentially exposed or overexposed to PFAS. To this end, it draws on a synthesis of available scientific knowledge regarding exposures and the health effects associated with these substances, as well as a review of the main health impact assessment studies. It also offers an analysis of the challenges associated with cross-referencing exposure and health data, while considering the integration of PFAS monitoring into a broader approach—already underway at Santé publique France—focused on the effects of endocrine disruptors. Santé publique France has worked in accordance with the Charter on Health Expertise (Decree No. 2013-413 of May 21, 2013). This report was produced by the Health, Environment, and Work Directorate and has been reviewed by an external reviewer.

Author(s): Caudeville Julien

Publishing year: 2026

Pages: 15 p.

Collection: Reviews and recommendations

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