The term “forever chemicals” refers to a huge class of man-made compounds that have been created to contain varying numbers of fluorine molecules arranged in either long or short chains of carbon atoms.

Depending on the way the fluorine molecules are arranged in the compound they are either “per” or “poly” flourinated compounds (PFCs).

Two of the more common groups in this giant (and growing) class of PFCs are perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), and Perfluorooctane Sulfate (PFOS).

Since the 1940s, over 12,000 of them have been used in consumer products because of their helpful ability to make products water-repellent, stain-resistant, non-stick, and more.

These same properties are also useful in manufacturing and storage.

TL;DR Perflourinated compounds (PFCs - including PFAS) are often toxic to people & ecosystems, do not degrade in the environment, can accumulate in our food chain, and are used in products and manufacturing processes across the global economy.

PFAS and their many cousin chemicals continue to be found in surprising places across our economy, in our ecosystems, even in the blood of babies before they are born.

Equally concerning, there is a large body of science showing health and environmental impacts.

They are scientifically linked to health impacts in people & animals

Many of the individual chemicals in this class of compounds are scientifically linked to human and environmental health impacts.

According to recent scientific studies, increased exposure to these chemicals can lead to a number of health issues, including impacts to reproduction, development, increased risk of cancers, immune system strength, hormone levels, and cholesterol, to name a few.

The scariest part of it all is the fact that we don’t know the full effects of these chemicals since there are thousands of them, they change composition over time, and they were introduced relatively recently.  

They don’t naturally degrade and accumulate in the food chain

PFCs also break down very, very slowly–which is how they got the name “forever chemicals.” Their resistance to degradation means they can be found in the environment, in our blood, and in animals worldwide.

In 2022, researchers from North Carolina State University found biomagnification happening at every step of the food chain during a study on PFAS in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River. “We are part of the food chain, and when we ingest these foods, we accumulate their PFAS loads, too,” says Greg Cope, author of the study.

It’s not just human and environmental factors that are concerning, we’ve seen growing regulatory risk as well.

• In California, beginning on January 1, 2025, an update to two laws prohibits intentionally adding PFAS in textile and cosmetic products.

• New Hampshire will prohibit the sale and distribution of food packaging that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances beginning January 1, 2024.

As awareness of these chemicals grows, so does the backlash with huge lawsuits.

In 2022 there was a class action suit filed against REI’s waterproof coat and Almay and Revlon for their PFAS levels.

Taking steps to ban these chemicals from being added to our products is only a starting point.

That's in part because there are two ways PFAS can end up in your products: They are intentionally added and/or are present due to contamination.

Here's a summary of the best practices we recommend for companies:

1. Restrict their intentional use in your products

2. Identify safer alternatives using a hazard-based approach

3. Engage in supply chain due diliegnce

4. Leverage your procurement process

5. Provide partner onboarding

6. Establish a comprehensive testing process

You can do a deep dive on our recommendations here.

Implementing these recommendations won’t completely mitigate the risks - but they will demonstrate to people that you are taking intentional, proactive steps to address this material issue.

We’ve seen firsthand how this kind of due diligence can help insulate a company from both legal and reputational impacts.