Are PFAS in everything? What you need to know about ‘forever chemicals’

By The Guardian Staff | The Guardian | January 3, 2025

Read the full article by The Guardian Staff (The Guardian)

"PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals”, are a group of thousands of chemicals that are used for their non-stick and water-resistant properties. They are used in everyday items like non-stick frying pans, waterproof mascaras, stain-resistant clothing and the packaging for takeaway food items. PFAS can take thousands of years to break down in landfills, and pose harms to human health. Reducing PFAS exposure is challenging but possible.

Here’s our guide, compiled from across the Guardian’s reporting, to forever chemicals.

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It is an umbrella term for a family of thousands of chemicals that are prized for their indestructible and non-stick properties. There are at least 12,000 chemicals that are considered PFAS.

Are PFAS the same thing as ‘forever chemicals’?

Yes. PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down once the product containing the chemical is thrown away. They can take hundreds or even thousands of years to degrade, which means if they leak in soil or water, PFAS can remain there for centuries."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Products
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health