Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds used in various consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. These persistent chemicals pose health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system issues, due to their ability to accumulate in the body and environment. Below are key areas of PFAS contamination in products, how individuals can be exposed, and notable legal cases.

 

Contamination in Everyday Products
 

PFAS are found in numerous household items, such as non-stick cookware, food packaging (e.g., microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers), waterproof clothing, and cosmetics (e.g., mascara, foundation). These chemicals are used to repel water, oil, and stains, but they can leach into food, skin, or the environment. For example, PFAS in pizza boxes or takeout containers can transfer to food, especially when heated, leading to ingestion.

Exposure Pathways:

• Ingestion: Consuming food or water contaminated with PFAS from packaging or cookware.

• Skin Contact: Using cosmetics or wearing PFAS-treated clothing, allowing chemicals to absorb through the skin.

• Inhalation: Breathing in PFAS particles from household dust or product manufacturing processes.
  
  
  Environmental Contamination from Industrial Sources
  
  Industrial facilities manufacturing PFAS or using them in products like textiles or electronics release these chemicals into air, water, and soil. Communities near these sites are exposed through contaminated drinking water, locally grown food, or air pollution. For example, PFAS from DuPont’s Parkersburg, West Virginia plant contaminated the Ohio River, affecting thousands of residents.
  
  Exposure Pathways:
   

• Water and Food: Drinking contaminated water or eating crops irrigated with PFAS-laden water.

• Airborne Exposure: Inhaling PFAS from industrial emissions or waste incineration.
  
  Legal Case Example:
   

• In 2017, DuPont and Chemours settled for $670.7 million with residents near the Parkersburg facility, who claimed PFAS exposure caused kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other health issues. The case highlighted the companies’ knowledge of PFAS risks since the 1960s.