PFAS Exposure From Firefighting Foam, What Veterans and Consumers Need to Know in 2026

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated its public health guidance on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the family of synthetic "forever chemicals" that have been released into the environment from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used for decades to fight fuel fires on military bases. According to VA Public Health, these chemicals persist in soil and water long after they're used, and many veterans and nearby community members may have been exposed through contaminated drinking water or direct contact during firefighting training and emergency response.

While the VA's update focuses on military and veteran exposure, PFAS chemicals aren't confined to bases and airfields. They show up in everyday consumer products, rain gear, cookware, carpets, food packaging, and more, because manufacturers have long used them for their grease-, water-, and stain-repellent properties. PFAS Authority's own scoring of 10,338 products found that 48% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, a reminder that this isn't just a military water-supply issue but a household one too.

What Did the VA Just Announce?

VA Public Health's updated PFAS page explains that AFFF, used extensively by the military since the 1970s, contains PFAS compounds that have leached into groundwater and soil at bases across the country. The agency notes that PFAS chemicals do not break down easily in the environment or in the human body, which is why they're often called "forever chemicals." The VA's page outlines what is currently known about potential health associations and points veterans toward exposure assessments and registry tools.

Who Is Affected?

The people most directly affected are veterans and active-duty service members who worked with or lived near AFFF use, firefighters, aircraft maintenance crews, and residents of base housing where contaminated water may have been supplied. Communities near military installations that draw drinking water from affected aquifers can also be affected, according to VA Public Health.

But PFAS exposure isn't limited to those with a military connection. Because these chemicals were also engineered into thousands of consumer goods, ordinary households can be exposed through daily-use items. PFAS Authority's product testing illustrates how widespread this is in specific categories.

• Camping tents and tarps, 100% failing (out of 316 scored)
• Waterproof boots, 100% failing (out of 47 scored)
• Rain jackets, 100% failing (out of 38 scored)
• Cycling rain jackets, 100% failing (out of 28 scored)
• Shoe waterproofing sprays, 100% failing (out of 15 scored)

It's worth noting that our scores come from analyzing published ingredient lists, materials disclosures, and third-party certifications, not laboratory testing of the physical products. That means a "failing" score reflects an absence of PFAS-free assurance in a brand's own disclosures, not a confirmed lab detection. You can see how this works in more detail on our methodology page.

Why Does This Matter?

Health agencies, including the VA, describe research linking PFAS exposure to a range of health associations, not proven causes, such as changes in cholesterol levels, immune response, and other outcomes still being studied. The science is evolving, and the VA's own guidance is careful to frame these as associations under ongoing research rather than settled facts.

What makes PFAS particularly concerning to consumer advocates is persistence, these chemicals accumulate in the body and the environment over time, meaning cumulative exposure, from drinking water, food packaging, and treated textiles, may matter more than any single source. That's why transparency about where PFAS shows up, whether on a military base or in a rain jacket, is central to informed decision-making.

Compounding the problem is a lack of disclosure. Several major brands sold in mainstream retail, including Cuisinart, T-fal, Calphalon, The North Face, Nike, Columbia, MAC, and Samsung, currently disclose nothing about PFAS use in their products, according to PFAS Authority's review of public brand materials. Without disclosure, shoppers have no way to know whether a product was treated with these chemicals.

What Should You Do?

For veterans and service members, VA Public Health encourages those who believe they were exposed to AFFF-related PFAS to speak with a VA health care provider, consider enrolling in relevant exposure registries, and stay informed through the agency's official PFAS resources.

For consumers more broadly.

• Check whether outdoor gear, cookware, or waterproofing products carry PFAS-free certifications before buying.
• Be skeptical of vague "eco-friendly" marketing claims that don't specifically address PFAS.
• Use a tool like our product finder to compare specific items and brands based on published disclosures and materials data.
• Favor brands that are transparent about their chemical formulations over those that disclose nothing.

Bottom Line

The VA's updated guidance underscores that PFAS contamination from firefighting foam remains a serious, unresolved issue for veterans and base communities. At the same time, PFAS Authority's data shows this is a much broader consumer problem, nearly half of the thousands of products we've scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen, with entire categories like tents, boots, and rain jackets showing 100% failure rates. Until more manufacturers disclose their formulations, buyers should treat "water-resistant" and "stain-proof" labels with caution and seek out products backed by verifiable, PFAS-free claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the VA say PFAS exposure causes disease?

No. VA Public Health describes potential health associations tied to PFAS exposure that are still under scientific study. These are associations, not proven causes, and individual risk varies.

How does PFAS Authority score products if it doesn't lab-test them?

Our scores are based on a review of published ingredients, materials, and certifications disclosed by brands and retailers, not independent laboratory testing. Full details are on our methodology page.

Are all waterproof or stain-resistant products high-PFAS?

Not necessarily, but categories like rain jackets, waterproof boots, and tents show very high failure rates in our scoring. Some brands do offer PFAS-free options, which may be considered lower concern, check specific products using our finder tool before assuming.