Forever Chemicals

“Forever chemicals” is a widely used informal term for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The term reflects the defining characteristic of these substances: their extreme environmental persistence. The carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS resist thermal, chemical, photolytic, and biological degradation under normal environmental conditions. As a result, PFAS accumulate in soil, water, air, and living organisms indefinitely. While not a regulatory or scientific term, “forever chemicals” has become the dominant public and media framing for PFAS and drives public pressure for regulatory action.

The term is widely attributed to investigative journalism (e.g., The Intercept’s “Dark Waters” reporting). No official regulatory source uses the term, though it appears in legislative text (e.g., New Jersey’s “Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act”, signed January 2026).

While “forever chemicals” is not a formal regulatory classification, it effectively communicates the core compliance challenge: any PFAS that enters the environment remains there permanently. This framing drives public demand for product transparency and PFAS-free labeling. Companies should be aware that consumers, investors, and regulators increasingly use this term when discussing PFAS policy. Product marketing should not claim “PFAS-free” without adequate testing documentation to substantiate the claim.

A consumer goods company markets a “forever chemical-free” cookware line. To substantiate this claim, the company must test its products using validated analytical methods (e.g., Total Organic Fluorine or targeted LC-MS/MS) and ensure no PFAS is intentionally added or present above detection limits.