PFAS: The ‘forever chemicals’ found at the local car wash

WashPIRG | July 30, 2025

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"A routine car wash may hide a toxic threat

It’s a hot summer day, so you decide to swing by your local car wash for a quick rinse. A thick coat of soap foams up on your car, then washes away. That’s followed by a spray, a bright wax finish and an air dry. Everything looks clean and shiny, so you drive off, satisfied and ready to hit the open road.

But while your car looks good, you, the workers at the car wash, and the surrounding community may have just been exposed to a class of toxic chemicals that neither break down nor stay put.

What are PFAS, and why are they harmful?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of at least 9,000 synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s to make products resist water, stains and heat. They’ve been found in everything from nonstick pans and stain-proof carpets to firefighting foam and cosmetic items. And yes, they’re also found at the car wash."