Forever young! Do you really want to live forever?

🎶 Forever young, I wanna be forever young! 

I’ve been humming this song a lot lately — not sure why, but maybe it’s because the year is coming to an end and I’m feeling nostalgic (and secretly wishing to stay young forever 😄).

I mean, who wouldn’t want that? But then again… do you really want to live forever?

That tune was stuck in my head when I read the news two days ago: the Trump administration is set to approve another PFAS-based pesticide — the fifth this year. These “forever chemicals” would be sprayed on our crops, quietly finding their way into our food, our water, and our bodies.

And unlike the song, PFAS don’t fade with time. They really stay forever — in us, in nature, and maybe even in our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

So while I was humming “Forever Young,” I couldn’t help but think:these chemicals already are — forever young, forever here, forever inside us.

What does Forever Chemicals (PFAS) mean?

You might not know the word PFAS, but they definitely know you!

They’re in your raincoat, your frying pan, your mascara, your phone, even the air you breathe. PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because, well, they don’t like to leave. Not our water, not our soil, not our bodies.

PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a large group of synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in industrial and consumer products due to their extreme resistance to heat, water, and oil.

These chemicals were created to make life easier: non-stick, waterproof, stain-resistant, grease-proof — magic! But magic always comes with a catch. PFAS don’t break down naturally, so every bit that’s ever been made is still somewhere on our planet today. Some are floating in Arctic snow. Some are inside fish, birds… and us.

Chemical Properties

PFAS molecules are composed of carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest in organic chemistry. This gives PFAS their remarkable durability but also makes them very difficult to degrade naturally. They come in two main forms:

• Perfluoroalkyl substances: All hydrogen atoms on the carbon chain are replaced with fluorine.

Polyfluoroalkyl substances: Only some hydrogen atoms are replaced, making them potential precursors to more stable PFAS.

Scientists have found that even tiny amounts can harm health over time — affecting hormones, immunity, and possibly increasing cancer risk.

The worst part? We can’t just “filter” them out easily. They slip through most systems like ghosts.

Uses & Exposure Pathways

PFAS are used in a wide range of applications for their ability to repel oil, water, and stains. Common exposure sources include:

• Drinking water contaminated by industrial sites or firefighting foam

• Household dust and air from treated carpets, furniture, or textiles

• Food packaging (especially grease-resistant wrappers)

• Cosmetics and personal care products

We can ingest PFAS through contaminated food, water, or inhalation, and the chemicals can persist in blood and organs for years.

Health Concerns

Scientific studies have linked long-term PFAS exposure to a range of potential health effects:

• Increased risk of certain cancers (e.g., kidney, testicular)

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Liver damage

• Decreased fertility and pregnancy complications

• Impaired immune response (e.g., reduced vaccine effectiveness)

• Elevated cholesterol levels

But there’s good news, too. Awareness is growing fast. Some countries are banning certain PFAS. Companies are racing to make safer alternatives.

Small actions help!

Choose PFAS-free products when you can. Avoid non-stick pans that don’t say “PFAS-free.” Support brands and policies that take responsibility for clean water and safe materials. Here are more practical steps to avoid PFAS Exposure!

1. Water Safety

• Use water filters certified for PFAS (e.g., activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems).

• Check local water reports or ask your utility if PFAS testing has been conducted.

  
  

2. Cookware Choices

• Avoid non-stick pans with PTFE (like Teflon). Instead, use:

  • Stainless steel

  • Cast iron

  • Ceramic cookware

    
    

3. Food & Packaging

• Minimize fast food and takeout that use grease-resistant wrappers.

• Avoid microwave popcorn bags with PFAS-treated linings.

• Don’t cook with non-stick bakeware unless PFAS-free certified.

  
  

4. Household Products

• Choose untreated furniture, carpets, and stain-resistant textiles labeled as PFAS-free.

• Skip waterproof sprays unless labeled safe.

  
  

5. Personal Care & Cosmetics

• Avoid products listing ingredients like:

  • "PTFE"

  • "Perfluoro" or "Polyfluoro" compounds

• Use PFAS-free brands for makeup, lotions, sunscreens, and shaving cream.

  
  

6. Awareness of Labels

Look for certifications like:

• OEKO-TEX® (for textiles)

• EWG Verified™ (for personal care products)

• “PFAS-free” or “PFC-free” on packaging

PFAS remind us that progress without foresight can cost us more than we think. But they also remind us of something powerful: once we know better, we can do better.

Because nothing — not even a “forever chemical” — should last longer than the planet we love. 🌍

#foreverchemials #PFAS #environment #sustainability #health #PFASfree