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    Think Piece

    Forever Chemicals: Where They Are and How to Avoid Them

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of lab-made chemicals used for repelling oil and water. Modern consumer goods have made people’s lives more convenient since the mid-20th century because of them. However, as with many innovations to advance civilization, their use threatens wildlife and human health. These pollutants are also known as forever chemicals since they are nearly indestructible. They hardly degrade in nature and can be incredibly mobile, making them challenging to contain and allowing them to contaminate large areas quickly. What Items Contain PFAS? Consumer products designed to be grease- and water-resistant almost always have any of the 15,000 PFAS ever invented. Paper and cardboard packaging manufacturers add…