Common usage of a class of man-made fully fluorinated chemical compounds know to be resistant to heat, water and oils, incorporated into a variety of industrial and commercial products, such as non-stick cookware, carpets, stain resistant clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, adhesives, cosmetics, leather and the film inside microwave popcorn bags.

The drinking water supplies of more than 15 million Americans have water concentrations of these compounds at levels exceeding the health
advisory limit, however this only represents testing in half of the water supplies in the US. Other estimates indicate the chemicals have contaminated more than 1500 water systems nationally, affecting up to 110 million Americans. Based on testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 98 percent of Americans have at least some level of chemicals in their blood, and has been found in water supplies across more than 27 states.

The EPA currently marks the unsafe level of PFOA/PFOS to be above 70 parts per trillion, although some researchers and states believe lower levels are still unsafe. Even 1 ppt may be enough to pose health risks, leading regulators to recommend these chemicals as candidates for the Safe Drinking Water Act.