What Are Forever Chemicals?

The "Forever Chemicals" Found in 99% of Americans are toxic chemicals used in hundreds of everyday products. These substances build up in our bodies and don't break down in the environment. Even tiny amounts of PFAS have been linked to cancer, immune system issues, reproductive harm, and other health problems.

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For years, chemical companies hid evidence of the dangers of PFAS. Today, nearly all Americans, including newborns, have PFAS in their blood. Over 200 million people may also be drinking water contaminated with PFAS. What was once seen as a "miracle of modern chemistry" has become a national health crisis.

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What Are PFAS?

In 1946, DuPont introduced Teflon, a nonstick coating for cookware. It led to the development of thousands of related chemicals called PFAS, which are used to make products nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof.

PFAS are found in countless consumer goods and industrial applications. Their widespread use has contaminated water, soil, and even the blood of people and animals worldwide. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down and remain in the environment and our bodies for many years.

DuPont, the creator of the PFAS chemical used in Teflon, and 3M, the leading manufacturer, have played pivotal roles in the PFAS saga. In 2001, a scandal in Parkersburg, West Virginia, brought to light the contamination of drinking water near a DuPont plant, affecting tens of thousands of people. This story is vividly portrayed in the documentary 'The Devil We Know.'

A class-action lawsuit exposed that DuPont knew PFAS was dangerous and had polluted drinking water but failed to inform workers, nearby communities, or environmental officials. The case led to studies linking Teflon chemicals to cancer and other health problems.

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What Are the Health Risks of PFAS?

The most well-known PFAS chemicals, PFOA (used in Teflon) and PFOS (an ingredient in 3M's Scotchgard), were phased out in the U.S. after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uncovered their hidden dangers. However, these chemicals are still allowed in imported products. Studies have linked these PFAS chemicals to several serious health issues, including:

• Testicular, kidney, liver, and pancreatic cancers
• Reproductive problems
• Weakened immune systems in children
• Low birth weight
• Hormonal disruption
• High cholesterol
• Weight gain in children and dieting adults

PFOA, PFOS, and similar compounds are known as "long-chain" PFAS because they have eight carbon atoms. Even though these long-chain chemicals have been phased out, the EPA and FDA have allowed "short-chain" replacements with six carbon atoms.

Chemical companies claim these shorter chains are safer. Still, DuPont has acknowledged that the short-chain chemical GenX causes cancerous tumors in lab animals. A 2019 study from Auburn University found that short-chain PFAS may be even more dangerous than long-chain ones, reinforcing growing scientific concern that all PFAS chemicals pose health risks.

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How Are We Exposed to PFAS Chemicals?

PFAS contamination has been detected in public drinking water systems across 49 states, affecting 19 million people. Michigan has reported the most contamination sites, but many other states haven't tested as thoroughly. Unreleased federal data suggests up to 110 million Americans could have PFAS-contaminated drinking water. However, drinking water differs from most people's exposure to PFAS. Other familiar sources include:

• Nonstick cookware like Teflon is still made with new PFAS chemicals.
• Wrappers for fast food and baked goods are often lined with PFAS.
• Stain-resistant furniture and carpets are treated with products like Scotchgard or Stainmaster.
• Water- or stain-repellent clothing, including jackets made with Gore-Tex.
• PFAS are found in some personal care products and cosmetics.

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Who is Responsible for PFAS Pollution?

Manufacturers

As early as the 1950s, studies by 3M indicated that PFAS could contaminate people’s blood. By the 1960s, research conducted by 3M and DuPont on animals revealed that PFAS posed health risks. In the 1980s, both companies discovered a link between PFAS and cancer, noting higher cancer rates among their employees. Despite this knowledge, they kept these findings hidden. A timeline of internal memos and studies shows this long history of deception.

Other companies that produced PFOA, such as Arkema, Asahi, BASF, Clariant, Daikin, and Solvay Solexis, were also part of the phaseout of PFOA. In 2015, DuPont sold its PFAS business to a new company called Chemours. Chemours has also faced pollution issues, leading to a legal dispute between the two companies over cleanup costs.

Industrial Discharges

At least 475 industrial facilities are suspected of releasing PFAS into the environment. Unfortunately, no federal regulations restrict these discharges under the Clean Water Act or the Clean Air Act.

The Military

Despite being aware of the dangers of PFAS in firefighting foam, the Defense Department continued to use it for many years. Now, they are resisting efforts to clean up the pollution left behind. There are military sites where drinking water or groundwater is contaminated with PFAS at levels exceeding the EPA’s safety guidelines.

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What Actions Are Being Taken to Address the PFAS Contamination Crisis?

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA had known about the dangers of PFAS since at least 1998 when 3M shared studies that led to the removal of Scotchgard from the market. However, despite increasing evidence of PFAS's harmful effects, the EPA has been slow to act. It has not set any legal limits for PFAS in tap water. It has a non-enforceable health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS that is 70 times higher than what independent studies suggest is safe. In 2019, the EPA announced a vague "action plan" that does little to reduce ongoing PFAS pollution or address past contamination.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Like the EPA, the FDA has allowed the chemical industry to introduce new PFAS chemicals in food packaging without sufficient safety testing. The FDA discovered PFAS in popular food items but did not disclose these findings publicly. When this information became known, top officials claimed that PFAS in food was "not a concern."

The Pentagon

The Defense Department needs to address the PFAS crisis adequately. The Pentagon attempted to prevent the release of a federal toxicology agency's recommendation for a safer PFAS level much lower than the EPA allows advisory limit. It lobbied the White House for weaker cleanup standards.

Congress

In light of the EPA, FDA, and Pentagon's inaction, Congress has taken steps to address the issue. The bills would also enhance PFAS monitoring: the Senate version would expand reporting on PFAS discharges, while the House version would require polluters and the Department of Defense to clean up existing PFAS contamination. The final bill is still being negotiated, and President Trump has threatened to veto it.

State Governments

State governments are taking action, too. States such as Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have set drinking water limits for PFAS much lower than the EPA's recommended level. Washington and Maine have stopped using PFAS in food packaging, and at least five other States have limited the use of firefighting foam that contains PFAS. California is the first state to require water companies to test tap water for PFAS and inform customers about the results.