Forever Chemicals – will be here long after we go
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have a wide range of uses because of their unique physico-chemical properties. They can be found in stain and water resistant textiles, greaseproof food packaging, non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and in over 200 other applications.
Because of their widespread use these chemicals can be found anywhere we look for them—in our food, in our drinking water, and even in our bodies.
Going back to traditional textiles, cookware and less stuff, could help reduce the demand for these chemicals and therefore their occurrence in the environment. The impact of such Forever Chemicals is not well understood, but is likely to be a long lasting problem.