What they do to your health and how to start reducing them today.
When most people think about environmental toxins, plastics are usually the first thing that comes to mind. Microplastics in our food, water, and even bodies. But lurking alongside them are a different, far more persistent class of chemicals: forever chemicals, also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Unlike plastics, which may eventually break down into smaller pieces, forever chemicals do not naturally degrade. Once they enter our bodies or the environment, they can linger for years. And they are left to quietly affect our health in ways we are only beginning to understand.
What Are Forever Chemicals?
PFAS are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a wide variety of products. Some examples of such are:
- Nonstick cookware
- Water- and stain-resistant clothing
- Food packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers
- Carpets and upholstery treated to repel stains
- Makeup and cosmetics and many more
Their chemical structure is incredibly stable, making them resistant to heat, water, and oil. While this makes them useful for industry and daily life, it also means they accumulate in the environment and in our bodies, persisting for years.
How Forever Chemicals Affect Your Health?
Unlike microplastics, which are largely a physical pollutant, PFAS are chemical toxins. Even small, chronic exposures can be harmful because the body struggles to eliminate them. Research links PFAS exposure to several health concerns:
Immune System Suppression
PFAS have been linked to reducing your body’s ability to respond to the risk of infections. In a 2023 study, researchers showed that PFAS exposure reduced the activity of human immune cells — particularly T-cells (including “mucosa-associated invariant T cells” (MAIT) and T-helper cells), which play a key role in initial immune defense and antibody production. This suggests PFAS may impair our body’s ability to respond to pathogens or generate strong immune responses. (1)
Hormonal Disruption
Interfering with thyroid function, reproductive hormones, and overall endocrine balance. PFAS may also interfere with lipid and glucose metabolism, which ties into broader endocrine and metabolic regulation. Some of these metabolic disruptions may stem from PFAS acting as “endocrine-disrupting chemicals. (2)
Metabolic Effects
Associated with elevated cholesterol, insulin resistance, and weight gain. Metabolomics research has linked PFAS exposure (especially PFOA) with altered lipid and fatty-acid metabolism, increased lipolysis and impaired glucose handling (higher glucose levels after oral glucose tolerance test). This suggests PFAS may interfere with energy metabolism, fat metabolism, and glucose regulation, pathways relevant for obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes risk. (2)
Cancer Risk
Particularly kidney and testicular cancers in populations with higher exposure. According to the health-effects overview by a leading public-health agency, certain PFAS (notably PFOA) have been associated with increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer in human epidemiological studies. (3)
Developmental Issues
Affecting fetal growth and early childhood development. Some of the most concerning effects, immune disruption, developmental damage, metabolic disruption may occur at relatively low levels of exposure, particularly during vulnerable windows like pregnancy or early childhood. With PFAS, the effects may accumulate silently over decades, making awareness and prevention essential. (4)
How Are We Exposed to Forever Chemicals?
PFAS are found in everyday environments:
Drinking Water
Especially near industrial sites or airports using firefighting foam. PFAS contamination in drinking water is one of the most significant exposure pathways. Public water systems may test for PFAS, but private wells rarely do, leaving many households unaware of contamination. Communities near industrial manufacturing sites, chemical plants, or airports often have higher PFAS levels due to decades of discharge into soil and groundwater.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), used extensively in firefighting training and aviation emergencies, has historically contained high levels of PFOS and PFOA. As this foam soaks into the ground, it infiltrates aquifers and municipal water systems. Even areas far from industrial zones can be affected because PFAS travel easily through water and do not degrade.
Food Packaging
PFAS can migrate into food from both the environment and the packaging that surrounds it, especially in case of processed and takeout foods. Produce, grains, and livestock raised in PFAS-contaminated soil or irrigated with contaminated water can harbor PFAS internally. The chemicals bioaccumulate in animals, meaning PFAS levels become more concentrated in meat, eggs, and dairy products. Additionally grease-resistant packaging, such as fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, paper plates, bakery bags, and frozen food boxes, often relies on PFAS coatings to prevent oil or moisture from soaking through. These coatings slowly transfer PFAS into the food, especially when the food is hot. PFAS are also found in nonstick cookware. Scratches or high heat can increase the release of PFAS-containing particles and fumes that end up on food.
Household Dust
Indoor environments trap PFAS in ways that most people don’t expect. Children face higher exposure because they play closer to the floor and frequently put their hands or toys into their mouths. Carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and curtains are often treated with stain-proof or water-resistant coatings. Over time, these surface treatments shed microscopic particles. Household items such as waterproof mattress pads, sofas, and treated pet beds can emit PFAS-laden dust as they age. Vacuuming and walking over carpets resuspends PFAS-containing dust into the air, making inhalation and hand-to-mouth contact common exposure routes.
Clothing and Gear
PFAS are widely used in textiles to create water-, dirt-, and stain-repellent performance features.
- Outdoor jackets, ski pants, hiking gear, and many “performance” fabrics rely on durable water repellents (DWRs), which often include PFAS.
- Sportswear marketed as “quick dry,” “sweat-resistant,” or “moisture-wicking” can incorporate PFAS as part of the finishing process.
- Household textiles such as shower curtains, mattress protectors, tablecloths, and stain-resistant bedding can shed PFAS during use and especially during washing.
- When PFAS-treated clothing is laundered, some of the chemicals wash into wastewater systems, circulating back into the environment and, eventually, drinking water.
Because PFAS don’t break down easily, even small exposures over time can accumulate, making daily habits a critical factor in long-term health.
10 Ways to Reduce Exposure to Forever Chemicals: Practical Steps
While it’s impossible to completely avoid forever chemicals, research and expert recommendations show that targeted actions can meaningfully reduce your exposure. Here are 10 practical steps:
Filter Your Drinking Water
PFAS are often found in tap water near industrial sites. Installing a high-quality water filter certified to remove PFAS, such as reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters, can drastically reduce your intake. Regularly replace filter cartridges for maximum effectiveness.
Avoid Non-Stick Cookware
Nonstick pans often contain PFAS. Switch to stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware. They are safer, more durable, and, in some cases, even improve the taste of food.
Choose Fresh or Minimally Packaged Foods
Fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and takeout containers can contain PFAS. Eating fresh or minimally packaged foods reduces direct contact. When using packaged foods, remove them from the packaging before heating whenever possible. Reducing consumption or transferring food to a ceramic or glass container before eating can lower exposure. Cooking at home is the most effective option.
Reduce Household Dust
PFAS can accumulate in dust from carpets, furniture, and textiles. Regular cleaning with a HEPA vacuum, wet mopping, and frequent handwashing can reduce ingestion and skin contact.
Opt for PFAS-Free Textiles
Clothing, furniture, and bedding treated with water or stain repellents often contain PFAS. Look for products labeled PFAS-free, or choose untreated natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen.
Be Mindful with Personal Care Products
Some cosmetics, dental floss, and waterproof sunscreen sprays contain PFAS. Check ingredient lists for terms like “fluoro” or “PTFE”, and switch to products with safer alternatives.
Avoid Treated Carpets and Upholstery
New carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture are often treated with PFAS for stain resistance. When purchasing new items, ask retailers about PFAS-free options, or choose second-hand or natural-fiber products.
Educate Yourself and Your Family
Knowledge is power. Stay informed about where PFAS are found and the latest research on exposure. Teaching children and family members simple habits, like washing hands before meals and avoiding certain packaging, helps reduce exposure long-term.
Take Control Of Your Health Today
Forever chemicals may be invisible, but their impact is real. They are silently building up in our bodies and the environment, with the potential to affect immune function, hormones, metabolism, and even future generations. The good news is that you are not powerless.
By taking practical steps, such as filtering your water, choosing safer cookware and textiles, reducing processed and packaged foods, and advocating for safer products, you can dramatically reduce your exposure to PFAS. Each small choice compounds into meaningful protection for your health, your family, and the planet.
Awareness is the first step, but action is what makes the difference. The more we understand about forever chemicals and act to limit them, the better we can safeguard our bodies and create a healthier, safer environment for generations to come.
After reading about PFAS, your shoulders are probably up by your ears. Let’s fix that. Hit play on this super feel-good stretch I made: 7-Minute Stretch for Tight Hips, Hamstrings & Lower Back Relief. It’s quick, beginner-friendly, and the perfect way to tell your body,
“Hey, we’re doing our best out here.” Mor more workouts, click here: Workouts for Every Day
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(1) Mixtures of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reduce the in vitro activation of human T cells and basophils, Ambra Maddalon, Arkadiusz Pierzchalski, Tobias Kretschmer, Mario Bauer, Ana C. Zenclussen, Marina Marinovich, Emanuela Corsini, Gunda Herberth. Chemosphere, 2023; 336: 139204 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139204, downloaded from the web 05/12/2025
(2) Dysregulated lipid and fatty acid metabolism link perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and impaired glucose metabolism in young adults, Zhanghua Chen, Tingyu Yang, Douglas I Walker, Duncan C Thomas, Chenyu Qiu, Leda Chatzi, Tanya L Alderete, Jeniffer S Kim, David V Conti, Carrie V Breton, Donghai Liang, Elizabeth R Hauser, Dean P Jones, Frank D Gilliland, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106091, PMID: 32892005, PMCID: PMC8009052, Environ Int2020 Dec:145:106091. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106091. Epub 2020 Sep 3., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32892005/, Dysregulated lipid and fatty acid metabolism link perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and impaired glucose metabolism in young adults – PubMed, downloaded from the web 05/12/2025
(3) How PFAS Impacts Your Health, CDC, ATSDR, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, How PFAS Impacts Your Health | PFAS and Your Health | ATSDR, https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/about/health-effects/, downloaded from the web 05/12/2025
(4) Childhood PFAS exposure and immunotoxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies, Evangelia E Antoniou, Wolfgang Dekant, DOI: 10.1186/s13643-024-02596-z, PMID: 38982538, PMCID: PMC11232141, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38982538/m Childhood PFAS exposure and immunotoxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies – PubMed, downloaded from the web 05/12/2025
