forever chemicals

American  

[fawr-ev-er kem-i-kuhlz, fer-] / fɔrˈɛv ər ˌkɛm ɪ kəlz, fər- /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of forever chemicals

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

Example Sentences

They are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly and can accumulate in the environment and in the human body.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

Listen to BBC Inside Science: Where do forever chemicals come from?

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

The UK is to increase testing for so-called "forever chemicals" as part of a national plan to tackle the substances, which have prompted environmental and health concerns.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

The analysis also found that 64 percent of samples contained at least one per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance, also known as "forever chemicals", which are found throughout the environment and everyday products.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Which means it’s up to us, as individuals, to stop ingesting the pink slime of AI slop, the forever chemicals of outrage bait and the microplastics of misinformation-for-profit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026