The ‘Forever Chemicals’ Hiding in Plain Sight

PFAS chemicals are found in cookware, clothing, cosmetics, and food packaging.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

You might not realize it, but chemicals called PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—often referred to as “forever chemicals” — are lurking in many items we use daily.

Known for their water- and stain-resistant qualities, PFAS are found in a surprisingly wide range of everyday items—and because they resist breaking down, they linger in our bodies.

For example, if your breakfast eggs slide neatly out of the pan thanks to a non-stick coating containing PFAS, they can accumulate in your blood.

Welcome to life with “forever chemicals.”

PFAS are woven into many products that make our lives more convenient, from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant furniture. While regulatory efforts are underway, the replacement chemicals may not be entirely safer, and exposure remains a concern.

The Need for PFAS

During the 1930s, as electronic refrigerators became a domestic necessity, chemical companies began searching for safer refrigeration chemicals.

While researching new, non-toxic refrigerants, scientist Roy J. Plunkett, a researcher at DuPont, accidentally discovered a new chemical with a strong carbon-fluorine bond.

The chemical substance was waxy white, slippery, and heat-resistant; it was polytetrafluoroethylene, and would later become known as “Teflon.”

The unique carbon-fluorine bond is what gives Teflon, as well as all the other PFAS chemicals that came after it, its highly resistant characteristic.

The chemical stability and durability of PFAS made them highly useful, leading to widespread adoption across various industries such as cookware, clothing, food packaging, and firefighting.

In the 1990s, a cattle farmer discovered that his cattle were dying after drinking water contaminated with industrial runoff from a nearby DuPont manufacturing plant that produced Teflon. This discovery prompted lawsuits as well as research looking into its health risks.

While Teflon is smooth and harmless at normal room temperatures, the manufacturing chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is highly toxic and carcinogenic in humans. It has since been phased out.

Another risk with using Teflon pans is that when they are heated, the chemical coating breaks down and releases toxic fumes into the air.

These fumes are so poisonous that one of the first reports on Teflon was that they could instantly kill pet birds and cause a flu-like illness in humans called “Teflon Flu.”

Common Items That Contain PFAS

While PFAS chemicals are often associated with certain types of plastics and their applications, not all plastic-containing products necessarily contain them.

Keywords that can indicate the presence of PFAS include stain-resistant, waterproof, grease-resistant, and non-stick.

Products that can contain PFAS include cookware with non-stick coatings, and textiles and fabrics that are water- and stain-resistant, such as outdoor clothing, carpets, upholstery, and furniture with water-repellent finishes.

Food packaging materials are another common source, including items such as microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, pizza boxes, and other containers designed to be oil- or water-resistant.

Waterproof cosmetics and personal care products, such as waterproof mascara, foundation, and sunscreens, also contain PFAS.

In healthcare environments, devices coated with PFAS—such as catheters, guidewires, and implantable materials—may also be an important but often overlooked source of exposure.

Firefighting foam used in industrial settings and training exercises is another significant source of PFAS exposure. Its fire-suppressing properties depend on fluorinated chemicals, which enable it to extinguish flames effectively. Due to their extreme toxicity, major transitions to fluorine-free foam alternatives are underway.

Finally, some cleaning products, particularly stain removers or fabric protectors, may contain PFAS to provide water or stain resistance. Overall, any product marketed as water-, stain-, or grease-resistant, non-stick , or heat-resistant is a strong indicator of the presence of PFAS chemicals.

Risks From PFAS Exposure

An estimated 78 percent of the U.S. general population had detectable concentrations of PFAS compounds.

PFAS exposures present higher health risks for pregnant women, infants, and young children. Numerous studies link early-life and prenatal exposure to PFAS to childhood developmental defects.

These chemicals easily cross the placental barrier during pregnancy, meaning a developing fetus can absorb them directly from the mother.

The developing physiological systems of children—including liver, kidney, and endocrine function—“may result in greater susceptibility to certain chemical exposures compared with adults,” Dr. Matt Thompson, a vascular surgeon and CEO at Avodah Naturals, a biomaterial technology company that delivers eco-friendly products through sustainable processes, told The Epoch Times.

PFAS can build up inside living things over time, and long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, immune system damage, thyroid issues, and developmental delays in children.

Firefighters and military personnel have more exposure to PFAS through the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which contains PFAS.

Are Regulators Keeping Up?

Several countries and states have imposed bans or restrictions on certain PFAS compounds, especially the long-chain varieties deemed more harmful.

Long-chain PFAS are used for their effectiveness at repelling water, oil, and grease.

The EU, for example, has begun restricting around 12,000 specific PFAS chemicals, aiming for a broader phase-out.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to limit certain PFAS in drinking water and is encouraging manufacturers to reduce or eliminate these chemicals in consumer products. Some companies voluntarily phase out specific PFAS in their products.

Some companies have voluntarily phased out specific PFAS from their products, and several states have enacted stricter bans or regulations on PFAS.

California, New York, and Vermont have established more aggressive limits and phase-out policies for PFAS in drinking water, food packaging, and consumer products. These state regulations often surpass federal efforts, reflecting a proactive approach to addressing PFAS contamination and exposure risks.

The EPA has recently proposed removing limits on four types of PFAS: GenX, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). However, the agency is keeping limits for the two most common types, PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

While safer alternatives to PFAS, such as ceramics and bio-based coatings, exist for many consumer and industrial applications, their widespread adoption is hindered by high costs that can be up to five times higher than those of current materials.

Are We Safer Now?

Many industries are now replacing long-chain PFAS with shorter-chain alternatives. However, these alternatives are less studied and may still pose health risks.

In some cases, an alternative may actually be worse than the original, Dr. Jennifer Brandon, microplastic expert who holds a doctorate in biological oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told The Epoch Times.

She pointed to GenX PFAS, technically called hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), which was widely adopted as a replacement for PFOA, known as one of the most harmful PFAS.

“GenX was chosen because it has a shorter half life in the environment,” she said. “But it wasn’t studied long enough and it turns out that it actually can be more toxic and more mobile, so can travel farther in the environment from its contamination site.”

One main thing to consider, Alex LeBeau, an exposure scientist and owner of Exposure Assessment Consulting, told The Epoch Times, is that PFAS are very effective at what they are designed to do, and “because of their effectiveness, there are some legacy use scenarios in which they still have application.”

“However,” he noted, “Because of the exposure issues now being identified, I think companies are being careful from now on to make sure any replacement products do not end up having similar issues to those for PFAS.”

While there are some promising alternatives, he said, and because of what we’re experiencing now with current PFAS chemicals, “companies will take time to identify the potential environmental fate of these substances to determine if they present any human health risks.” This is not a fast process, and rushing may cause a similar scenario that we are currently in with PFAS, he said.

Reducing Your Exposure to PFAS in Daily Life

While completely avoiding PFAS can be challenging given their widespread presence, there are practical steps you can take to minimize your exposure and protect your health.

For cooking, opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic alternatives. When shopping, try to avoid food packaging with nonstick coatings or grease-resistant wrappers; instead, use glass or paper-based containers.

For outdoor and exercise clothes, choose ones made with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or linen. Fabrics treated with wax can also confer water resistance with PFAS coating.

Limit Use of Stain-Resistant and Water-Repellent Sprays

Avoid regularly applying stain- or water-repellent sprays to furniture, carpets, or clothing. If needed, choose products labeled as PFAS-free and use them in well-ventilated areas.

Improve Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation

Regularly vacuum carpets and upholstery with HEPA-filtered vacuums to reduce chemical buildup. Ensure good ventilation in your home to decrease indoor chemical concentrations.

While eliminating all exposure may be challenging, taking proactive steps can help protect our health and the health of future generations from the potential dangers posed by PFAS.