forever chemical

noun

plural forever chemicals

: a toxic substance and especially a synthetic chemical (as of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances group) that persists and accumulates in the environment

—not used technically

Canadian researchers have discovered high levels of a "forever chemical", used in making toilet paper, in the bodies of endangered killer whales, sparking fears the toxic substance could further harm them.

—Leyland Ceccoin

Landfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.

—Sammy Fretwell

—often used in plural

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.

—Layne Cameron

Forever chemicals are used as surface treatments to block water and stains. In fact, a 2022 report by Toxic-Free Future, an environmental health research and advocacy organization, found that nearly three-quarters of products labeled as water- or stain-resistant tested positive for them.

—Hannah Norman

PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals commonly used since the 1940s, are called "forever chemicals" for a reason. Bacteria can't eat them; fire can't incinerate them; and water can't dilute them.

—Amanda Morris

Van Zile said many people love a Wisconsin Friday fish fry, but many fish are found with high levels of forever chemicals, such as mercury, and that we're slowly poisoning ourselves.

—Frank Vaisvilas

Examples of forever chemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nguyen, who is also a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) injury attorney, based in Houston, Texas, explained that many common household items contain microplastics and PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Due to their widespread use in consumer products, forever chemicals have been discharged into waterways by chemical manufacturers; trucked to landfills with household trash; or flushed into city sewers via toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines. —Alejandra Martinez, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Dec. 2024

Frying Pan Skillet, Grey $60 $36 Amazon Ceramic nonstick has exploded in popularity as people have grown more and more concerned about forever chemicals (ceramic is entirely nontoxic) and no brand is more associated with it than GreenPan. —Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2024

Water has jumped in importance since the EPA reported that close to half of all of the water coming into our homes is polluted with forever chemicals. —Jamie Gold, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2010, in the meaning defined above