PFAS Blood Testing: What It Is, How to Get Tested, and What Results Mean

Last updated: May 2026

By PFAS Exposure Claims Resource Center Published: April 2026 8 min read

If you've lived near a contaminated water source, worked in an industry involving PFAS chemicals, or consumed food or water you suspect was contaminated, a blood serum test can measure the actual levels of PFAS compounds in your body. This guide explains how PFAS blood testing works, where to get it, and what your results can tell you about your health and legal options.

What Is PFAS Blood Testing?

PFAS blood testing — also called serum PFAS testing or PFAS body burden testing — is a laboratory analysis that measures the concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in your blood. Because PFAS compounds are highly persistent (they don't break down in the body or the environment), they accumulate in blood serum over time. A blood test can quantify how much PFAS is present in your system at the time of testing.

The test measures individual PFAS compounds separately. The most commonly measured include PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFNA, PFHxS, and PFDA — the compounds with the strongest links to adverse health outcomes and the most extensive scientific research. Results are reported in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) or parts per billion (ppb).

PFAS blood testing is not a diagnostic test for disease. It measures exposure. A high PFAS level means you were significantly exposed to these chemicals; it does not diagnose cancer or any other condition. However, it is a critical piece of evidence that connects your exposure history to any health conditions you may have developed.

How to Get a PFAS Blood Test

PFAS blood tests are available through several pathways:

Through Your Doctor

Your primary care physician can order a PFAS blood panel. Ask specifically for a "PFAS serum panel" or "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance blood test." The blood is drawn at your doctor's office or a lab facility and sent to a certified reference laboratory for analysis. If your doctor is unfamiliar with PFAS testing, the National Academies' 2022 report on PFAS exposure and health effects provides clinical guidance that your physician can reference.

Through Commercial Reference Laboratories

Several commercial laboratories offer PFAS blood serum testing, including Quest Diagnostics and specialized environmental laboratories. Some require a physician order; others allow direct-to-consumer ordering. Costs vary — typically $150 to $400 depending on the panel size and laboratory.

Through State or Federal Health Programs

If your community has documented PFAS contamination in its water supply, your state health department may offer free or subsidized PFAS blood testing to affected residents. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has conducted community exposure assessments at sites with documented PFAS contamination, including military bases, and may have testing programs available. Check your state environmental or health agency's website for current programs.

Understanding Your Results

PFAS blood test results can be confusing without context. Here are the key reference points:

The NHANES Reference Range

The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) measures PFAS levels in a representative sample of the U.S. population. The NHANES data provides percentile rankings — it tells you where your PFAS level falls relative to the general U.S. population. If your PFOS level is at the 90th percentile, 90% of Americans tested have lower levels than you.

The National Academies 2022 Clinical Guidance

In 2022, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released detailed clinical guidance for evaluating PFAS-exposed patients. The guidance establishes three tiers of clinical follow-up based on total PFAS blood levels:

• Below 7 ng/mL total PFAS: Routine medical care, continue healthy practices
• 7 to 14 ng/mL total PFAS: Enhanced health monitoring, lipid screening, thyroid function testing
• Above 14 ng/mL total PFAS: Individualized clinical evaluation, consider cancer screening, close monitoring of thyroid, kidney, and immune function

These thresholds represent the current scientific consensus for when PFAS levels warrant heightened medical attention. If your results fall in the elevated tiers, discuss next steps with your physician.

What PFAS Blood Test Results Mean for a Legal Claim

In PFAS personal injury litigation, blood serum test results serve as direct, objective evidence of exposure. Here's why they matter:

They document the exposure happened. Without a blood test, your PFAS exposure relies on circumstantial evidence — you lived near a plant, you drank municipal water. A blood test showing elevated PFAS levels is affirmative proof that the chemicals entered your body in significant quantities.

They help establish the extent of exposure. Higher PFAS blood levels, especially levels substantially above the general population baseline, suggest more significant or prolonged exposure. This can be relevant to damages calculations.

They support the causal link between exposure and diagnosis. If you developed kidney cancer and your PFAS blood level was in the 95th percentile for the U.S. population, that combination of evidence — significant exposure plus a PFAS-linked diagnosis — forms the factual core of a personal injury claim.

Note on timing: PFAS levels in blood decline over time after exposure ends. The half-life of PFAS compounds in the human body ranges from roughly 3 to 8 years, depending on the specific compound. If you stopped drinking contaminated water years ago, your current blood level will be lower than it was at peak exposure. Attorneys and medical experts can account for this in the analysis, but testing sooner rather than later is advantageous.

What to Do After Testing

If your PFAS blood test shows elevated levels, take the following steps:

1. Share results with your doctor. Use the National Academies' clinical guidance framework to discuss appropriate follow-up screening — particularly for kidney function, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and cancer screening relevant to your age and sex.
2. Document your exposure source. Research your water utility's PFAS testing history (available through the EPA's UCMR database), your proximity to industrial PFAS sources, or any occupational exposure history.
3. Preserve the test results. Keep copies of your blood test results with your other medical records. They are potential evidence.
4. Consult an attorney if you have a qualifying diagnosis. If you have or later develop kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or another PFAS-linked condition, your blood test results can strengthen a personal injury claim significantly.

Related Resources

• PFAS Health Effects: What the Science Says
• PFAS and Cancer: The Evidence Reviewed
• PFAS Health Screening Recommendations
• Do I Qualify for a PFAS Claim?