PFAS: The Forever Chemicals in Your Home
PFAS have been in everyday products since the 1940s. They don't break down, in the environment or in your body. Here is what they are, where they hide, and how to reduce your exposure.
What are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals that share one defining characteristic: an extremely strong carbon-fluorine bond. This bond is what makes them so useful industrially. It also makes them virtually indestructible. PFAS do not break down in the environment, in water, or inside the human body. Scientists and regulators have nicknamed them "forever chemicals" for exactly this reason.
Where are PFAS found?
The more concerning truth is how widespread PFAS are. Non-stick cookware (Teflon and similar coatings) was the original source of public concern. But PFAS are also used to make food packaging grease-resistant, including microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, and pizza boxes. Waterproof and stain-resistant clothing, carpets, and upholstery commonly contain PFAS coatings. Some dental floss brands use PTFE (a form of PFAS) as a coating. Firefighting foam used at airports and military bases has contaminated groundwater supplies near many communities.
What are the health risks?
Because PFAS accumulate in the body over time, regular low-level exposures from multiple sources add up. Research has linked chronic PFAS exposure to thyroid disruption, immune system suppression (including reduced vaccine response), elevated cholesterol, kidney and testicular cancer, and developmental issues in children exposed in the womb. PFOA and PFOS, the two most studied PFAS, are both classified as Group 1 carcinogens by IARC.
How to reduce your exposure
You cannot eliminate PFAS entirely, they are in the blood of virtually every person tested globally. But you can meaningfully reduce new exposure. Replace scratched non-stick cookware with cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic-coated alternatives. Avoid microwave popcorn and greasy fast food packaging where possible. Choose untreated or PFAS-free textiles. Filter your drinking water with a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter, both of which reduce PFAS levels. Check your local water supply reports if you are in an area with known PFAS contamination.
What the regulators say
The EU has moved to restrict PFAS broadly across product categories under its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The US EPA set maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS in drinking water in 2024. The UK is reviewing its regulatory framework post-Brexit. Regulation is moving, but slowly, the industry used PFAS for decades before their persistence and toxicity were fully understood.