forever chemicals

[fawr-ev-er kem-i-kuhlz, fer-]

plural noun

1. long-lasting chemicals, including PFAS and hydrofluorocarbons, used in the manufacture of common household items such as refrigerators, nonstick cookware, and flame-resistant furniture, that remain in the environment because they break down very slowly, and subsequently accumulate within animals and people.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forever chemicals¹

Coined by U.S. academic and public health expert Joseph G. Allen in an opinion piece in The Washington Post (2018)

Example Sentences

The researchers found much higher concentrations of forever chemicals at sites treated with firefighting foams, as well as those closer to urban areas.

Read more on Science Daily

Applications include separating so-called forever chemicals from water, breaking down traces of pharmaceuticals in the environment, drug development or capturing carbon.

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Biochar, a charcoal-like material that some people mix in their garden soil, has pores that can capture metals, Fang said, adding that there’s also research indicating it can suck up PFAS, or so-called forever chemicals.

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There needs to be better efforts to monitor other forms of pollution too, including agriculture, microplastics and forever chemicals, it says.

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As with other "forever chemicals", also known as PFAS, just how much a threat to human health and at what concentrations is still being researched.

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