Cosmetics, cellphones, guitar strings – are all examples of products where forever chemicals have been found. Exposure has been linked to, for instance, thyroid disease.
Forever chemicals or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are extremely resistant to degradation; people will continue to be exposed for generations to come after exposure.
Many PFAS can affect our health. Exposures have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, liver damage, low birth weight, reduced immune responses, and other negative impacts.
So why – since we know that PFAS are harmful – are they still being produced and used? And could we protect ourselves from exposure by eliminating or at least reducing some uses?
The Guardian has tried to find an answer to those questions; read more here.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/14/pfas-chemicals-health-makeup-phones-water
