Cosmetics, cellphones, guitar strings: where we found ‘forever chemicals’

Photo caption: ‘We need to change perceptions among consumers, within industry, and in PFAS-producing countries.’ Photograph: RooM the Agency / Alamy Stock Photo. Article by Juliane Glüge, Martin Scheringer and Gretta Goldenman.

PFAS, which can be hazardous to our health, are found everywhere. We need to regulate them as a class

The thousands of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are called “forever chemicals” because of their extreme resistance to degradation, called “persistence”. Each of us carries these chemicals in our bodies, and people will continue to be exposed for generations to come.

Many PFAS can affect our health. Exposures have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, liver damage, low birth weight, reduced immune responses and other negative impacts. […]

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