IARC officially list PFAS as Carcinogens

Written By: Atanu Das on Monday, December 4, 2023

The group determined perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to be carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

The agency used the following basis:

PFOA is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence (for epigenetic alterations and immunosuppression) in exposed humans. There was also limited evidence for cancer in humans (renal cell carcinoma and testicular cancer) and strong mechanistic evidence in human primary cells and experimental systems (for epigenetic alterations and immunosuppression, as well as several other key characteristics of carcinogens).

PFOS is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), on the basis of strong mechanistic evidence across test systems, including in exposed humans (for epigenetic alterations and immunosuppression, as well as several other key characteristics of carcinogens). There was also limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals and inadequate evidence regarding cancer in humans.

Here is an infographic summary from IARC: