They are in the water we drink, the food we eat, and even the makeup we wear. They are in the soil beneath our feet and the blood running through our veins. These are PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as “forever chemicals.”
Discovered in the 1930s and unleashed across industries starting in the 1950s, PFAS were hailed as miracle compounds. They made pans nonstick, fabrics stain-resistant, packaging grease-proof, and firefighting foams supremely effective. But convenience came with a cost that was hidden for decades: PFAS do not break down. Once released, they linger in the environment, cycle through air and water, and accumulate inside living bodies.
Today, PFAS are global pollutants. Nearly every American has measurable levels in their blood.
What Exactly Are PFAS?
PFAS are not a single chemical but a family of more than 9,000 human-made substances. Their water- and oil-repelling properties made them appealing for a wide range of products, from aerospace coatings to dental floss.
You’ll find them in:
- Nonstick cookware like Teflon pans
- Water-resistant clothing and carpets
- Fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags
- Cosmetics such as waterproof mascara or foundation
- Firefighting foams used at airports and military bases
Why Are PFAS a Threat?
Scientists sometimes call PFAS the “toxic gift that keeps on giving.” Unlike other pollutants that fade with time, PFAS persist for decades. In the human body, some types have half-lives of up to eight years, meaning it takes nearly a decade for just half the chemical load to clear. The damage they cause builds quietly:
- Cancer: Linked to kidney and testicular cancers
- Immune suppression: Reduced vaccine effectiveness and infection resistance
- Hormonal disruption: Altered thyroid function and cholesterol levels
- Reproductive harm: Reduced fertility and risks to fetal development
- Organ damage: Liver and kidney lesions
- Low birth weight: Associated with maternal exposure
How Exposure Happens
Water is the most common route. Communities near industrial sites, landfills, or military bases often discover PFAS in their public drinking systems or private wells.
Food can also carry PFAS:
- Fish from contaminated rivers or lakes
- Meat and dairy from exposed livestock
- Crops irrigated with tainted water
- Greasy fast food packaged in PFAS-treated wrappers
Household items are another source. Stain-resistant furniture, carpets, and jackets can shed PFAS into indoor dust. Nonstick pans release chemicals when scratched or overheated. Even personal care products—foundation, mascara, dental floss—can contain them.
Workplaces such as manufacturing plants, firefighting stations, or textile factories present higher exposure for workers.
How to Reduce Your PFAS Exposure
While no one can eliminate PFAS exposure entirely, everyday choices can help reduce the burden.
- Filter your drinking water
- Install a reverse osmosis (RO) or granular activated carbon (GAC) filter.
- Use filtered water for drinking, cooking, making baby formula, and even for pets.
- Rethink cookware
- Replace nonstick pans with stainless steel or cast iron.
- Check your food sources
- Limit fish caught in contaminated waters.
- Cut back on fast food served in grease-proof wrappers.
- Make stovetop popcorn instead of microwave bags.
- Inspect product labels
- Avoid ingredients like PTFE (Teflon), PFOA, perfluorodecalin, perfluorohexane.
- Watch for words containing “fluoro” or “perfluoro.”
- Choose safer personal care items
- Look for PFAS-free makeup, lotions, and dental floss.
- Avoid long-lasting or waterproof cosmetics unless verified clean.
- Be selective with clothing and furnishings
- Skip “stain-resistant” or “water-repellent” finishes.
- Avoid aftermarket sprays that promise the same effect.
- Stay cautious outdoors
- Keep children and pets out of foam buildup near lakes and streams.
- Rinse skin and fur if contact occurs.
Common Products That May Contain PFAS
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Water | Tap water, wells, runoff near factories |
| Cookware | Teflon pans, PTFE coatings |
| Food packaging | Pizza boxes, fast food wrappers |
| Textiles | Outdoor jackets, carpets, upholstery |
| Home goods | Stain-resistant rugs, furniture |
| Cosmetics | Mascara, nail polish, foundation |
| Firefighting foam | AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) |
| Industrial uses | Paints, sealants, waxes |
Why This Matters
PFAS pollution is not just an environmental crisis—it is a public health emergency. Communities across the United States have already sued chemical companies for poisoning their water supplies. States are beginning to pass their own bans and restrictions. Yet federal action has lagged, leaving millions of families at risk.
Consumers are not powerless. By demanding safer products, filtering water, and supporting stronger regulations, individuals can help shift the market and pressure lawmakers to act.
The story of PFAS is a reminder that the things we cannot see are often the most dangerous. The choices we make today, whether it’s buying a pan, a carpet, or a tube of lipstick, carry consequences for decades to come.
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