Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) is a 4-carbon PFAS carboxylate, one of the shortest PFAS compounds monitored under UCMR5. PFBA has been promoted as a "safer" alternative to PFOA because it has a shorter biological half-life in humans (approximately 3 days). However, PFBA is extremely mobile in the environment and highly water-soluble, leading to widespread groundwater contamination. It is commonly found near areas where short-chain PFAS replacements have been used. Despite its shorter half-life, animal studies show PFBA can still cause liver and kidney toxicity.
Where PFBA comes from
Common uses
- Short-chain PFAS replacement applications
- Textile treatments
- Industrial surfactants
Industries
- Chemical manufacturing
- Textiles
Health effects of PFBA exposure
Short-term effects
- Liver toxicity at high doses
- Kidney effects
Long-term effects
- Potential liver and kidney damage
- Less bioaccumulative but highly mobile in environment
Most vulnerable populations
- People with high water consumption
- People in areas with heavy industrial PFAS use
How to remove PFBA from drinking water
- Reverse osmosis
- 80% removal
- Activated carbon
- 50% removal
- Ion exchange
- 82% removal
Is PFBA in your water? – Enter your ZIP at KnowYourExposure to see your local EPA test results.