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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) Debuts PFAS Blood Test Offering
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) recently introduced its first consumer-initiated blood-draw test for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluorinated alkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals") on questhealth.com. In contrast to traditional direct-to-consumer tests, the new test involves physician oversight and consultation on request with a licensed physician.
The PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Test Panel is also widely available, with individuals having the option to visit most of DGX’s approximately 2,100 patient service centers in the United States for a blood draw. The recent development will significantly boost the company’s consumer-initiated testing offering.
Significance of the PFAS Test
In recent years, a growing body of science has revealed the potential health risks of exposure to PFAS. Aptly named "forever chemicals" because these can accumulate and linger in the environment and body. These synthetic chemicals have been used in industrial and consumer products for decades and may contaminate food and water.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), PFAS exposure may lead to potential health issues like increases in cholesterol levels, reduced birth weight, lower antibody response to vaccines, kidney and testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia and changes in liver enzymes. While there is no current medical treatment available to reduce PFAS levels, access to quality convenient testing to evaluate exposure is also presently limited.
The new PFAS test from Quest Diagnostics is directed at individuals who may be at risk of elevated PFAS exposure, such as firefighters, or those who use a water supply near a commercial or industrial location, as well as those living near areas of documented PFAS environmental contamination. The test is based on the latest science and aligns with several facets of new CDC guidance and recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (“NASEM”).
Back in July 2022, NASEM recommended offering PFAS testing to patients who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure. Earlier this year, the CDC unveiled the updated guidance to help providers and patients consider PFAS blood testing, based largely on the NASEM recommendations.
More on the News
Quest Diagnostics’ new consumer-initiated PFAS blood test features several unique innovations. Any individual who purchases the test can have a telephone consultation with a third-party licensed physician about the results and ways to reduce exposure risk and share them with their personal physician.
In addition, the company is making the test available via B2B channels for organizations seeking workforce, community, or research-based testing for at-risk populations due to concerns about elevated PFAS exposures. Quest Diagnostics plans to introduce a version of the test specifically for physicians to improve patient care later this year.
Industry Prospects
Per a research report, the global PFAS testing market was valued at $110 million in 2023 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 14.4% by 2028.
Progress in the Consumer Health Business
Quest Diagnostics offers consumer-initiated testing that allows consumers to request their own lab tests, take control of and better understand their own health through access to personal diagnostic information. In 2023, the company delivered solid base business growth from questhealth.com, with approximately $45 million in revenues.
In July 2023, DGX launched its first consumer-initiated genetic test, Genetic Insights, growing the test options for health-minded consumers. The saliva-based test leverages the company’s expertise in Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze three dozen genes for inherited risk conditions, ranging from breast and colon cancer through carrier status for cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs.
Price Performance
In the past six months, shares of DGX have decreased 3.8% against the industry’s rise of 3%.
Zacks Rank and Key Picks
Quest Diagnostics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Cardinal Health’s stock has increased 31.5% in the past year. Earnings estimates for Cardinal Health have risen from $7.01 to $7.17 in fiscal 2024 and from $7.83 to $7.94 in fiscal 2025 in the past seven days.
CAH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 15.6%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 16.7%.
Estimates for Stryker’s 2024 earnings per share have increased from $11.53 to $11.84 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have moved 28.8% upward in the past year compared with the industry’s rise of 4%.
SYK’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.1%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 5.8%.
Estimates for DaVita’s 2023 earnings per share have remained constant at $8.07 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have increased 37.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 8.4% rise.
DVA’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 36.6%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 48.4%.
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Quest Diagnostics (DGX) Debuts PFAS Blood Test Offering
Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Free Report) recently introduced its first consumer-initiated blood-draw test for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluorinated alkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals") on questhealth.com. In contrast to traditional direct-to-consumer tests, the new test involves physician oversight and consultation on request with a licensed physician.
The PFAS (Forever Chemicals) Test Panel is also widely available, with individuals having the option to visit most of DGX’s approximately 2,100 patient service centers in the United States for a blood draw. The recent development will significantly boost the company’s consumer-initiated testing offering.
Significance of the PFAS Test
In recent years, a growing body of science has revealed the potential health risks of exposure to PFAS. Aptly named "forever chemicals" because these can accumulate and linger in the environment and body. These synthetic chemicals have been used in industrial and consumer products for decades and may contaminate food and water.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), PFAS exposure may lead to potential health issues like increases in cholesterol levels, reduced birth weight, lower antibody response to vaccines, kidney and testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia and changes in liver enzymes. While there is no current medical treatment available to reduce PFAS levels, access to quality convenient testing to evaluate exposure is also presently limited.
The new PFAS test from Quest Diagnostics is directed at individuals who may be at risk of elevated PFAS exposure, such as firefighters, or those who use a water supply near a commercial or industrial location, as well as those living near areas of documented PFAS environmental contamination. The test is based on the latest science and aligns with several facets of new CDC guidance and recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (“NASEM”).
Back in July 2022, NASEM recommended offering PFAS testing to patients who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure. Earlier this year, the CDC unveiled the updated guidance to help providers and patients consider PFAS blood testing, based largely on the NASEM recommendations.
More on the News
Quest Diagnostics’ new consumer-initiated PFAS blood test features several unique innovations. Any individual who purchases the test can have a telephone consultation with a third-party licensed physician about the results and ways to reduce exposure risk and share them with their personal physician.
In addition, the company is making the test available via B2B channels for organizations seeking workforce, community, or research-based testing for at-risk populations due to concerns about elevated PFAS exposures. Quest Diagnostics plans to introduce a version of the test specifically for physicians to improve patient care later this year.
Industry Prospects
Per a research report, the global PFAS testing market was valued at $110 million in 2023 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 14.4% by 2028.
Progress in the Consumer Health Business
Quest Diagnostics offers consumer-initiated testing that allows consumers to request their own lab tests, take control of and better understand their own health through access to personal diagnostic information. In 2023, the company delivered solid base business growth from questhealth.com, with approximately $45 million in revenues.
In July 2023, DGX launched its first consumer-initiated genetic test, Genetic Insights, growing the test options for health-minded consumers. The saliva-based test leverages the company’s expertise in Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze three dozen genes for inherited risk conditions, ranging from breast and colon cancer through carrier status for cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs.
Price Performance
In the past six months, shares of DGX have decreased 3.8% against the industry’s rise of 3%.
Zacks Rank and Key Picks
Quest Diagnostics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , Stryker (SYK - Free Report) and DaVita (DVA - Free Report) . Each of them presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Cardinal Health’s stock has increased 31.5% in the past year. Earnings estimates for Cardinal Health have risen from $7.01 to $7.17 in fiscal 2024 and from $7.83 to $7.94 in fiscal 2025 in the past seven days.
CAH’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 15.6%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 16.7%.
Estimates for Stryker’s 2024 earnings per share have increased from $11.53 to $11.84 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have moved 28.8% upward in the past year compared with the industry’s rise of 4%.
SYK’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.1%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 5.8%.
Estimates for DaVita’s 2023 earnings per share have remained constant at $8.07 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have increased 37.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 8.4% rise.
DVA’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 36.6%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 48.4%.