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

The drink company was humbled even more on Tuesday, after a class-action lawsuit alleged Prime contains excessive caffeine and forever chemicals. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024

Scientists are just beginning to understand how and to what extent forever chemicals harm human health. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 20 Apr. 2024

Vermont’s experience with responding to PFAS may prove instructive as more consumers and politicians take note of forever chemicals. —Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024

And Miami has previously recorded some of the highest levels of forever chemicals in the country, according to a 2020 report published by advocacy nonprofit Environmental Working Group. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

People are also exposed to these forever chemicals through food, clothing, household products, dust and several other sources. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

There are thousands of forever chemicals, but the EPA has now put standards on six of the most common and most studied. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

More:Wausau files lawsuit against 'forever chemical' makers and the companies that insured them What are environmental groups saying about the rules? —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Harmful substances:Are PFAS really 'forever chemicals'? —The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above