Microplastics, forever chemicals, PFAS: No matter what name you know for them, there’s little doubt you’ve heard of these micro-pollutants at some point before.
While many people see examples of them, and their usefulness, in everyday life, there has been a change in sentiment towards them from helpful advancement to something that should be reduced in exposure as much as possible.
This is because synthetic compounds are designed to be tough, lasting far longer than most materials in our homes, but their very persistence has become a cause for concern.
Once released into the environment, they don’t break down, making them a long-term threat to both human health and the planet.
With growing evidence linking PFAS to serious health issues, the need for stronger regulation and safer alternatives has never been more urgent.
It’s important, then, to know when these chemicals should be used, when they can be avoided, and how best to replace them in formulations.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
PFAS are persistent and found everywhere: in air, water, soil, wildlife, and humans worldwide
Some PFAS, like PFOS and PFOA, are linked to cancer, immune and thyroid issues, liver damage, and developmental harm
PFAS are in cosmetics, including anti-aging products, but make up a small market share
UK regulations are behind the EU’s, leaving gaps in consumer and environmental protection
What Are Forever Chemicals?
Forever chemicals, often classified as PFAS or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic substances built with multiple carbon-fluorine bonds. This molecular structure has bond energy of around 485 kJ/mol compared to 410 kJ/mol for a typical carbon–hydrogen bond.
This strength makes the bonds highly resistant to heat, light, and microbial attack, which is why PFAS do not readily degrade in the environment.
On top of that, many PFAS are amphiphilic, meaning they contain both water-repellent (hydrophobic) fluorinated chains and water-attracting (hydrophilic) groups.
This dual nature makes them effective surfactants and explains their widespread use in products that require oil and water resistance. However, it also allows them to move easily between air, water, and soil, making them highly contaminous if handled incorrectly.
There are now thousands of identified PFAS commonly used in various applications from cookware, waterproof clothing, and carpets to name but three examples.
Their presence in so many everyday products explains why they are now detected almost universally in human blood samples and in environmental monitoring worldwide.
The Science Behind PFAS and Their Persistence
The reason PFAS are known as forever chemicals lies in their durability. The carbon-fluorine bond is extremely strong and does not readily break down under natural environmental conditions.
Once released into soil or water, these compounds remain intact and can travel long distances. Some are soluble and mobile, which means they get into groundwater and drinking water.
Many PFAS accumulate in the human body, with half-lives ranging from three to more than eight years depending on the specific compound. This means even small, repeated exposures can lead to a significant build-up over a lifetime.
One example of this buildup is seen in a 2025 UK Parliamentary report highlighting that PFAS have been detected in rainwater, in surface water across the UK, and in the bloodstreams of almost all individuals tested.
Common Uses of Forever Chemicals in Everyday Products
PFAS are present in a wide range of items, from everyday goods to industrial and safeguarding applications, including:
- Kitchens – Non-stick cookware, food packaging (e.g. fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags)
- Households – Stain-resistant carpets, upholstery, waterproof jackets, water-repellent fabrics, furniture treatments
- Industry – Electronics, industrial coatings, paints, sealants, lubricants, and fire-resistant materials
- Firefighting – Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs), especially used at airports, military sites, and industrial firefighting operations
- Personal Care Products – Shaving foam, mascara, foundation, lipstick, waterproof sunscreen, and hair products
- Food & Drink – Contamination from food packaging (e.g. pizza boxes, takeaway containers), food processing equipment, and contaminated water sources
- Construction & Maintenance – Waterproofing treatments for roofs and exterior surfaces, paints, and sealants used in buildings and roads
Health and Environmental Impacts of Forever Chemicals
The persistence of PFAS means that once they enter the body or the wider environment, they are difficult to remove and continue to accumulate over time.
Studies have shown a number of different impacts these can lead to, from human health through to wider environmental concerns.
Effects on Human Health
Research has linked PFAS exposure to a wide array of health concerns. Studies have shown associations with higher cholesterol, liver damage, thyroid disruption and reduced vaccine response due to immune suppression.
More serious risks include kidney and testicular cancers, reduced fertility, complications in pregnancy and developmental issues in children. Some studies suggest that PFAS exposure could be linked to increased breast cancer risk as well.
One of the challenges is that PFAS accumulate over long periods, meaning that, even if exposure levels are relatively low, the persistence of these substances in the body means they can build up and cause harm decades after initial exposure.
Environmental Contamination and Wildlife Risks
The environmental consequences of PFAS pollution are extensive: almost all rivers, lakes and ponds tested in England exceed proposed safety limits, and 85 per cent exceed those limits by five times or more.
In some fish, PFOS concentrations have been recorded at more than 300 times the safe threshold for aquatic life. This not only affects biodiversity but also creates a food-chain risk. Eating a single contaminated fish meal could expose a person to more than their safe annual limit of PFOS.
The problem is not confined to water bodies alone. A 2025 article from The Guardian suggested there could be up to 10,000 contaminated land sites in England alone, which would require substantial investment into the cleanup to remove these elements.
Regulation and Safety Measures in the UK
In the UK, the Drinking Water Inspectorate has set a guidance level of 0.1 micrograms per litre for the combined presence of 48 PFAS compounds in treated water. This figure equates to 100 nanograms per litre.
Monitoring carried out in 2024 showed that none of the treated water supplies exceeded the highest risk category, though raw water at certain sites was above recommended thresholds.
In response to this, the European Union is moving towards regulating PFAS as a class, effectively restricting their production and use in most consumer applications.
Meanwhile, the UK has not yet adopted this approach and continues to regulate PFAS substances on an individual basis. This means that binding limits on PFAS in cosmetics, packaging and other everyday products are not yet in place.
Reducing Exposure to Forever Chemicals
While the scale of PFAS contamination can seem overwhelming, there are practical steps that both industries and individuals can take to lower risks where possible.
Industrial Alternatives
Industries are beginning to adopt PFAS-free alternatives, such as fluorine-free surfactants, silicones, and bio-based polymers. These can replicate many of the functions once performed by PFAS in coatings, packaging, and cosmetics.
Cosmetic manufacturers in Europe have already reduced PFAS usage due to both regulatory pressure and consumer demand. Alternatives are not always perfect, but innovation in sustainable chemistry is advancing rapidly, making safer substitutes increasingly viable.
Practical Steps for Homes and Workplaces
When it comes to homes and workplaces, there are some different steps and precautions to keep in mind. Homes have more flexibility, and can make choices such as:
- Choose PFAS-free labelled products – Opt for products specifically labelled as PFAS-free to reduce exposure
- Use stainless steel or cast iron cookware – Avoid non-stick pans, which often contain harmful chemicals
- Opt for natural fabrics – Choose fabrics that are untreated with stain-resistant chemicals
- Test and filter private water supplies – If you have a private water source, regularly test for PFAS contamination and install activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters to reduce levels
Workplace scenarios may be more difficult, as some elements may not be in your control. Still, a few key steps include:
- Substitute PFAS-containing chemicals – Industries using PFAS should explore safer alternatives to these chemicals
- Adopt safer chemical practices – Implement best practices for chemical handling to minimise exposure
- Ensure responsible waste disposal – Properly dispose of PFAS-containing waste to prevent environmental contamination
Conclusion
While regulation has not yet caught up with all the risks surrounding forever chemicals, reducing exposure requires a mix of consumer awareness, substitution with safer alternatives, and stronger policies to limit future contamination.
