What Are PFAS Chemicals? The Complete Guide to Forever Chemicals
- J Fort
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
If you've been hearing the term "forever chemicals" in the news lately and wondering what it actually means — you're not alone. PFAS chemicals have become one of the most talked-about environmental health issues of our time, and for good reason. They are literally everywhere, and most people have no idea they're being exposed every single day.
In this post we're going to break it all down for you in plain language — what PFAS are, where they come from, where they hide, and what the science says about what they do to your body.
So What Exactly Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. That's a mouthful, so most people just call them forever chemicals — and that nickname tells you everything you need to know about why they're a problem.
PFAS are a family of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. They were invented because scientists discovered that bonding carbon and fluorine atoms together created an incredibly strong, stable compound that could repel water, oil, and heat like nothing else available at the time.
That made them incredibly useful. And so for the next 80 years, manufacturers put them in everything.
THE KEY FACT: The carbon-fluorine bond in PFAS is one of the strongest chemical bonds in nature. That's why these chemicals don't break down — not in the environment, not in your body, and not for hundreds or thousands of years. That's the "forever" in forever chemicals. |
Where Do PFAS Come From?
PFAS were first developed in the 1940s by companies like 3M and DuPont. By the 1950s and 1960s they were being used widely in consumer products. The most well-known early applications were Teflon non-stick coatings and Scotchgard stain repellent — both household names that most people still use today.
Over the following decades, the use of PFAS exploded across dozens of industries. By the time health concerns began surfacing in the late 1990s, PFAS were already deeply embedded in the global supply chain — and in the global environment.
Internal documents later revealed that both 3M and DuPont had known about potential health risks since the 1970s and had not disclosed them publicly. That history of concealment is a big part of why public awareness of PFAS has grown so rapidly in recent years.
Where Are PFAS Found Today?
The short answer is: almost everywhere. Here are the most common places PFAS show up in everyday life:
In Your Kitchen
• Non-stick cookware coated with Teflon or similar coatings
• Microwave popcorn bags and fast food wrappers
• Pizza boxes and other grease-resistant food packaging
• Parchment paper — many leading brands are PFAS-coated
In Your Home
• Stain-resistant carpet and upholstery (Scotchgard and similar treatments)
• Water-repellent furniture fabrics and mattress covers
• Paints, sealants, and cleaning products
In Personal Care Products
• Waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation
• PTFE-based dental floss (like Oral-B Glide)
• Shampoos, conditioners, and hair smoothing products
In Your Drinking Water
• Tap water near military bases, airports, and chemical plants
• Well water in agricultural areas treated with PFAS-containing biosolids
• Studies estimate PFAS are detectable in nearly 45% of U.S. tap water
Why Are They Called Forever Chemicals?
Because they don't go away. Ever.
When PFAS enter the environment — through manufacturing discharge, landfill leachate, or products being washed down the drain — they don't degrade the way most organic compounds do. They persist in soil and water for centuries. And when they enter the human body through contaminated water, food, or products, they accumulate in your blood, liver, kidneys, and other tissues over a lifetime of exposure.
Some PFAS compounds have a half-life in the human body of 3 to 8 years. That means if you stop all exposure today, it will take years for your body to clear even half of what's currently in your system.
What Does the Science Say About Health Risks?
The research on PFAS health effects has accelerated dramatically over the past decade. Here is what the major health agencies have concluded so far:
• The World Health Organization classified PFOA as a Group 1 known human carcinogen in 2023
• The National Cancer Institute found people with highest PFOA levels were more than twice as likely to develop kidney cancer
• Studies have linked PFAS to reduced vaccine effectiveness in children
• PFAS disrupt thyroid hormones and have been linked to obesity, diabetes, and infertility
• PFAS have been detected in umbilical cord blood — meaning exposure begins before birth
For a deeper look at the research, visit our Research page where we've compiled 10 peer-reviewed studies with direct links.
What Can You Do Right Now?
The good news is that reducing your PFAS exposure is absolutely achievable. Small swaps in the products you use every day can meaningfully lower your daily exposure. Here's where to start:
• Replace non-stick cookware with cast iron, stainless steel, or certified ceramic alternatives
• Filter your tap water with a filter certified to remove PFAS (NSF/ANSI 58 or 53)
• Switch to PFAS-free parchment paper and food storage products
• Check personal care labels — avoid anything listing PTFE or ingredients starting with "fluoro-"
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All product recommendations are based on online research and PFAS-free certifications.
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