You may have noticed the vaguely ominous phrase forever chemicals popping up in the news lately.
These chemicals are showing up in the water atschools in Massachusetts.
Home Depot willstop selling rugscontaining them.
Getty / Huw Jones
States arefiling lawsuitsagainst their makers.
Congress isinterrogating manufacturersabout them.
But what the hell are forever chemicals, exactly?
And what do we know about how they can affect our health?
Sc.D., assistant professor of Exposure Assessment Science in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H.
Although much more research is necessary, We know enough that we should be very concerned, Allen says.
So…not exactly reassuring.
But many environmental experts are also pushing for change that could benefit us all.
Heres what we do and dont know about foreverchemicals.
What even are forever chemicals?
The technical name for these chemicals is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
Food and Drug Administration(FDA).
What these 5,000-odd PFAS compounds all have in common is the carbon-fluorine bond that forms their molecular backbone.
This is one of the strongest bonds in all of organic chemistry, Allen explains.
Once PFAS enter an ecosystem, Theyre there to stay, DeWitt says.
We dont know for sure how long it would take for various PFAS to break down, DeWitt says.
The ATSDR said years to decades in aSenate testimonyearlier this year.
In that sense, yes, they are forever, at least in our lifetimes, says DeWitt.
How do forever chemicals get into our bodies?
Most individuals in the United States have at least one PFAS in theirbloodstream, according to theATSDR.
From there, PFAS can seep into ground or surface water supplies, Rogers explains.
States likeVermont,Washington, andWisconsinhave also dealt with PFAS-contaminated water.
How harmful are forever chemicals?
But is there any research to suggest that being exposed to these common chemicals is actually bad for us?
With that said, lets walk through some of the science here.
The most consistent finding from observational studies of humans is elevatedcholesterollevels among exposed populations, according to theEPA.
(High cholesterol puts you at increased risk of health issues likeheart disease.)
Even with increased cholesterol, the data arent definitive.
Others have found no association between increased PFAS in the blood and elevated cholesterol levels.
That gives us confidence in the fact that [PFAS] really are causing these effects, she says.
As for proving how these chemicals could be influencing so many different body systems in humans?
So, uh, how much should you freak out about forever chemicals?
Not a ton, honestly.
Obviously, not everybody who gets exposed is going to experience a problem, DeWitt explains.
Otherwise, wed probably all have all of the health issues we just described.
So, you really dont need to panic immediately.
What can you do with this information?
(Of course, cost is a big consideration here.)
you’re free to read more about the EPAs research into the efficacy of these technologieshere.
Then theres the question of avoiding PFAS in the stuff you buy.
Anyone whos concerned can take steps to reduce their exposure, Rogers says.
That includes choosingproductswith PFAS-free labels when purchasing things likely to contain them, Sunderland says, like stain-resistant carpeting.
you’re free to also avoid certain kinds of products altogether, like nonstick pans.
I work with these chemicals, and I still struggle to find out what products they’re in.
Were placing a very high priority on this, says Rogers.
We [at the ATSDR] have a lot of ongoing projects and studies.
The EPA is also on it.
Taking action to address [PFAS] is a top priority, an agency spokesperson tells SELF.
Of course, this all requires governmentregulation.
As Sunderland explains, the Trump administration has decimated the EPAsregulatory oversightfor these types of issues.
She also cites the chemical industryssusceptibility to industry lobbying.
Recent history has shown us that there is still reason to be at least a little hopeful.
Since 2006, eight major chemical manufacturers have stopped using PFOA and other PFAS under the EPAsPFOA Stewardship Program.
Its not hopeless, Sunderland says.
We shouldnt feel disempowered.
Its essentially like chemical whack-a-mole, he explains.
We know enough to know we need to act now, Allen says.
DeWitt is similarly optimistic.
