PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are an entire class of man-made chemical compounds. Commonly known as "forever chemicals", PFAS do not break down naturally due to their molecular structure. Instead, they travel through soils and waterways — building up, or bioaccumulating, in plants, wildlife, and soils. PFAS chemicals possess strong carbon-fluorine bonds, rendering them highly stable and resistant to heat, oil, grease, stains, and water. Because of this, manufacturers often use these chemicals for their non-stick and water repellant properties. PFAS can be found in clothing, furniture, food packaging, cookware, cleaning products, insulation, paint, and even cosmetics. This widespread use of the chemicals has resulted in extensive PFAS contamination across the United States. As a result, PFAS can be found almost everywhere - in our food, soil, water, and our bodies.

This exposure is harmful: PFAS have been found to cause many adverse health effects. They are endocrine (hormone) disruptors and are linked to certain cancers, reproductive and developmental health effects, organ damage, liver and thyroid disease, immunosuppression, and more. The two most known PFAS chemicals are PFOS and PFOA, were even found to be carcinogenic by the EPA. PFAS contamination poses similar risks to wildlife. Because PFAS can bioaccumulate in animal tissue, exposure can spread quickly between species, or "biomagnify." The scientific evidence demonstrating harm to health, particularly children's health, from the chemicals is overwhelming.

It is worth noting that these myriad concerns regarding PFAS impacts are not new. For decades, scientists have raised concerns about the extensive and well-documented adverse effects of PFAS. As far back as 1950, 3M's studies showed that PFAS chemicals could build up in the general public's blood. And by the 1960s, 3M and DuPont's animal studies revealed that PFAS chemicals could pose health risks. However, it was not until the 1990s that EPA began investigating PFAS and the general public became aware of the health impacts PFAS pose, spurring EPA's work to reduce PFAS contamination today.

It's high time we regulate these toxic "forever chemicals." Join us in our campaign to get PFAS out of our food system for good.