In June, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry published a draft toxicological profile for perfluoroalkyls, a group of chemicals used to protect products such as carpet and fabric, and as a coating for paper and cardboard packaging. Some firefighting foams also contain perfluoroalkyls.  Most companies have stopped making perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOA and PFOS, which were the two perfluoroalkyls made in the largest amounts in the U.S. According to ATSDR, the main sources of exposure to perfluoroalkyls are from eating food and drinking water containing these chemicals. Workers in facilities that make or use perfluoroalkyls can be exposed to higher amounts of these chemicals. According to ATSDR, high levels of certain perfluoroalkyls may cause health effects such as increased cholesterol levels, increased risk of thyroid disease, and decreased fertility in women. ATSDR toxicological profiles characterize the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for hazardous substances. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a substance's toxicological properties. The new draft toxicological profile for perfluoroalkyls is available on ATSDR's .