Researchers have developed1 a way to break down long-lasting chemicals that they say is easier and cheaper than the harsh methods currently used. Their work also hints at how these chemicals, which have been li
From non-stick frying pans to stain-resistant sofas, some of the most innovative everyday products are made using chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These "forever chemicals"—so-called because they don't degrade—have been used in a variety of consumer and commerc...
Scientific American is part of Springer Nature, which owns or has commercial relations with thousands of scientific publications (many of them can be found at www.springernature.com/us). Scientific American maintains a strict policy of editorial independence in reporting developments in science to our...
doi:10.1038/d41586-023-03876-9Neil SavageNature
Forever chemicals, a.k.a. PFAS, get this name because they don’t break down easily. These harmful chemicals can be found in everyday products like clothing, appliances, food packaging, food, and drinking water. Though public water suppliers are taking action to rid water of these harmful ...
The prevalence of PFAS is so common thatone 2007 studydetected a presence of the forever chemicals in 98% of Americans. “Because we have been slow to respond to their negative effects, PFAS have been incorporated into so many aspects of modern life that they are very hard to avoid,” Dic...
A recent study on PFAS exposure in infants shows that these chemicals are more likely to cross the placenta than transfer through breastfeeding, underscoring the need for stricter regulations and better protective measures for infants. A recent study by Fudan University found high levels of PFAS i...
PFHxA is one of several forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), that do not naturally or easily break down over time. As we wrote, PFHxA “is commonly used in clothing, carpets, paper, and insecticides and has been linked to liver disease” and “PFHxA is an ...
However, the problem with microplastic pollution in water is that these tiny particles are so small that you generally can’t see, taste or feel them, making them an “invisible water quality problem” like lead or forever chemicals. So, how can you avoid microplastic exposure if there’s ...
"PFAS particles are unique, because our body doesn't degrade them very well... ordinarily we have chemicals that break almost everything down that we're exposed to, but these molecules are resistant to those normal processes, so we tend to accumulate them," explained Dr. Ant...