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 surface is made of ceramic with a nonstick coating that’s free of all forever chemicals. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025

But even paper products, such as microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes, are likely to contain forever chemicals. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are increasingly showing up in the environment, our food and drinking water, and throughout our bodies. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2025

Earlier investigations by the state have found that many of the forever chemicals found in the lake are a result of leaking sewage and firefighting training, according to the New Mexico Political Report. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2010, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forever chemical

• electrochemical
• immunochemical
• physicochemical
• physiochemical
• radiochemical
• stereochemical
• academical
• agrochemical
• biochemical
• cytochemical
• geochemical
• histochemical