What Are Forever Chemicals And How Can We Reduce Our Exposure?

There’s no denying PFAS are useful: they stop scrambled eggs from sticking to the pan, keep raincoats dry and save carpets from stains. Yet there’s growing concern about the long-term environmental and health impacts of this group of ‘forever chemicals’ – so called because of their near-indestructible nature. Last week, a group of MPs led by the Environmental Audit Committee urged the government to ban non-essential PFAS from certain products due to increasing evidence linking the chemicals to health issues, including some cancers, immune suppression and fertility problems. 

The report is currently being considered by the government, but is there anything we can do to reduce exposure ourselves? We asked the experts.

PFAS: Everything You Need To Know About Forever Chemicals

What Are PFAS?

‘PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a very large family of man‑made chemicals – there are thousands of them – that have useful properties including repelling water, oil, grease, and stains, as well as having resistance to extreme temperatures,’ explains Stephanie Metzger, policy advisor at the Royal Society of Chemistry. ‘They’re often called “forever chemicals” because the carbon–fluorine bond at the heart of PFAS is one of the strongest in chemistry, meaning these substances don’t readily break down in the environment or in our bodies.’

Which Common Products Contain PFAS?

Metzger tells us that PFAS give products useful properties like being ‘non-stick, waterproof or stain-resistant, which is why they’ve found their way into so many everyday items and industrial processes.’ The chemicals are found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, some cosmetics and carpets, as well as being used in medical devices, electronics and firefighting foams.

PFAS can be found in:

• Non-stick pans
• Baking powder
• Grease-resistant paper 
• Pizza boxes
• Cleaning products
• Dental floss
• Shampoo
• Phone screens
• Mattress pads
• Sports leggings
• Menstrual products
• Wall paint

These chemicals have been used in consumer products since the 1950s, but direct product use isn’t the only way humans are exposed to them. Because PFAS are so widespread, the chemicals can leak into soil, water and air, meaning they can get into our bodies through eating and breathing. In fact, scientists think 99 percent of all humans – including fetuses – have measurable levels of PFAS in their bloodstreams. 

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How Are They Impacting Our Health?

Not all PFAS behave in the same way, but an increasing body of research suggests exposure to certain chemicals may lead to health risks. ‘These include impacts on cholesterol levels, thyroid disease, liver damage, fertility issues and developmental effects, as well as increased risks of some cancers,’ says Metzger. ‘PFAS can also accumulate in the body over time, which is why even low‑level, repeated exposure matters.’

According to the National Cancer Institute, forever chemicals have been linked with elevated risks of kidney and testicular cancers. Meanwhile, Breast Cancer UK has concluded the overall evidence suggests exposure to certain PFAS (such a PFOA and PFHxS) may increase breast cancer risk. 

Research also indicates PFAS may impact the body’s immune system, which can increase susceptibility to illness and infection. And in 2024, for the first time, a study was able to formally show that exposure to toxic PFAS increases the likelihood of death by cardiovascular disease. 

There’s emerging evidence, too, showcasing the impact on fertility. One study from researchers at the Environmental Health Sciences Core Center at Mount Sinai linked higher levels of PFAS in blood with a significant reduction in the likelihood of pregnancy. Scientists measured fertility outcomes among a cohort of 382 women living in Singapore, finding a five to 10 percent reduction in fecundability (the probability of a woman conceiving within a specific month) per quartile increase of exposure to individual PFAS.

How Can We Reduce Our Exposure?

Metzger stresses that it’s difficult to completely avoid PFAS because they’re everywhere and long-lived. ‘That’s why the Royal Society of Chemistry places the emphasis on systemic solutions from regulation and new technology rather than expecting people to manage this alone,’ she says. ‘Stronger regulation of PFAS in products, food and drinking water, better monitoring, and holding polluters responsible for reducing emissions and clean‑up are the most effective ways to reduce exposure at a population level. In the long run, chemists are working on alternative materials and clean-up technologies.’

However, she notes that we do have a choice when it comes to choosing clearly labelled ‘PFAS-free’ products (rather than just PFOA-free or PFC-free). We can swap non-stick cookware for stainless steel, glass or ceramic alternatives, choose fresh foods as opposed to prepackaged and store leftovers in glass containers. Limiting takeaways (think pizza boxes and kebab wraps) can help, as can investing in a water filter (the ZeroWater filter claims to remove 94.9 percent of PFAS). 

Girlfriend Collective

Cleaning products are another easy swap – try brands like Smol and Purdy & Figg. Activewear, too: items like sports bras and leggings often have water-repellent coatings, but some brands are now PFAS-free including BAM and Girlfriend Collective. 

What Is Being Done?

While there are small swaps we can make, Metzger concludes that ‘protecting public health ultimately depends on decisions made by manufacturers, regulators and government.’

In February 2026, the UK government launched its first-ever PFAS Plan. The strategy has three main pillars: understanding the sources of PFAS, tackling pathways for entering and spreading, and reducing exposure for people and wildlife. Actions being taken include expanding monitoring of PFAS in water and soil, creating risk maps to identify contaminated areas, funding more research into the health impacts, and encouraging safer chemical alternatives. The government is also currently considering the recommendations made in the Environmental Audit Committee’s new report, which argues all non-essential uses of PFAS should be phased out from 2027. 

Meanwhile, research is underway for pioneering ways to reduce the levels of PFAS in our bodies. For instance, last year scientists found evidence suggesting our gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our body. This hasn’t yet been tested on humans, but researchers plan to use this discovery to create probiotic dietary supplements that may help protect against the harmful effects of forever chemicals. ‘We haven’t found a way to destroy PFAS, but out findings open the possibility of developing ways to get them out of our bodies where they do the most harm,’ says Dr Indra Roux, co-author of the study. ‘The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now.’