PFAS & The Price of Using Forever Chemicals

For decades, the same chemicals that made our lives easier—keeping food from sticking to pans, repelling water from raincoats, and making fabrics stain-resistant—have been silently accumulating in our bodies, water, and soil. Known as PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” these substances linger in the environment and our bloodstream long after their intended use.

Now, the consequences are impossible to ignore. Scientists have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, infertility, and immune disorders, yet they are still found in everyday products and drinking water across the country. In Texas, ranchers have seen their livestock die after PFAS-contaminated wastewater seeped into their land. In landfills, PFAS continue to leach into the groundwater. And in courtrooms, companies that produced and profited from these chemicals are facing legal battles over their devastating health and environmental impact.

How did PFAS become so pervasive, and what—if anything—can be done to stop their spread?

Why They’re Called “Forever Chemicals”

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have a unique chemical structure that imparts resistance to heat, water, and oil, making them ideal for products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant fabrics. However, this same resilience means they degrade exceptionally slowly, leading to persistent environmental accumulation and potential health risks.

PFAS do not naturally break down in the environment or the human body. Their durability comes from carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the toughest chemical bonds known to science. Unlike other organic compounds that degrade over time due to bacteria, sunlight, or natural chemical reactions, PFAS can remain intact for centuries.

The name “forever chemicals” reflects the urgent challenge they pose—once released, they are nearly impossible to remove altogether, making regulation, cleanup, and replacement with safer alternatives a growing global priority.

Is It Possible to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water?

While there are technologies to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water, their effectiveness depends on various factors, including the specific PFAS compounds present and water chemistry. Researchers are working to improve these methods and develop more efficient solutions for PFAS removal, but there hasn’t been wide implementation of these technologies—and there’s no guarantee that these will undo the health consequences already inflicted on people.

PFAS can be filtered out of the water supply using several technologies:

• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): GAC filters are commonly used to remove PFAS from water. They work by adsorbing contaminants onto the surface of activated carbon particles. However, their effectiveness can vary based on the specific PFAS compounds present and the filter’s maintenance.
• Ion Exchange Resins: These resins exchange ions with PFAS molecules, effectively removing them from water. Innovations in this area include low-cost, reusable ion exchange filters that can be regenerated, aiming to prevent PFAS leaching back into the environment.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO systems use semi-permeable membranes to remove contaminants, including PFAS, from water. They are highly effective but can be costly and produce wastewater.
• Foam Fractionation: This method utilizes rising air bubbles to collect PFAS molecules, forming a foam that can be harvested and treated. It’s a cost-effective alternative for complex PFAS-impacted waters.
• Supercritical Water Oxidation: An emerging technology that uses high temperature and pressure to break down PFAS molecules, achieving up to 99% destruction in water samples.

What We Know So Far About the Health Impact of PFAS

Because they don’t break down, PFAS accumulate in water, soil, wildlife, and human bodies. Once they enter the environment—whether through industrial discharge, firefighting foam, or consumer products—they continue to spread, contaminating drinking water supplies, food sources, and entire ecosystems. Inside the body, PFAS build up over time, as they are not easily excreted, leading to long-term health issues.

Research has associated PFAS exposure with health issues like:

• Decreased fertility
• High blood pressure
• Developmental delays in children
• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Reduced vaccine efficacy
• Hormonal disruptions
• Elevated cholesterol levels

The full extent of these health effects remains under investigation, especially considering the vast number of PFAS variants and their evolving applications.

The Battle Between Public Health & Private Industry

With the consequences of PFAS exposure coming to light, regulatory bodies are tightening PFAS guidelines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently proposed enforceable drinking water limits for specific PFAS compounds. In 2021, Maine became the first U.S. state to ban these compounds in all products by 2030, except for instances deemed “currently unavoidable.” Internationally, countries like France have banned PFAS in various consumer products, including textiles, to mitigate environmental and health risks.

On the other hand, some states are considering measures to protect manufacturers from PFAS-related lawsuits, igniting debates between industrial manufacturers and public health advocates. In Long Island, water companies are suing to roll back EPA standards. Another example is Georgia’s House Bill 211, which aims to shield manufacturers, retailers, and waste handlers from lawsuits over PFAS contamination.

Companies argue that legal shields are necessary to prevent undue burdens on their business. However, public health advocates contend that removing liability diminishes corporate accountability and reduces incentives for companies to discontinue the use of harmful chemicals. After all, the risks associated with PFAS have been recognized for decades; as early as 2005, there was an EPA panel that labeled PFAS as “likely carcinogens.”

What’s Next for Protecting Ourselves from PFAS?

PFAS contamination is not just an environmental issue—it’s a public health crisis created by corporate negligence. It’s unclear if or for how long manufacturers of PFAS-containing products knew about the dangers of these chemicals but continued using them without warning the public. Now, communities across the country are suffering the consequences, from contaminated drinking water to long-term health effects like cancer, immune disorders, and developmental delays.

Companies have profited billions from products with PFAS in them. Now that there’s a public cost, it’s only right that these companies be made responsible for covering it.