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

Tucson is suing the federal government, claiming forever chemicals released from an Air Force base are causing ongoing contamination of the city’s drinking water supply. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Who should be responsible for removing forever chemicals? —Alejandra Martinez, Austin American-Statesman, 9 Dec. 2024

It could also be used to clean up firefighting foam that’s a huge problem on military sites and airports nationwide, or to get rid of forever chemicals at semiconductor plants, where their use is a key part of the production process. —Amy Feldman, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The law is considered one of the nation’s strictest on the forever chemicals. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2010, in the meaning defined above