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
Leyland CeccoinLandfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.—Sammy Fretwell
—often used in pluralSammy FretwellPFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.—Layne Cameron
Layne CameronForever 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
Hannah NormanPFAS, 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
Amanda MorrisVan 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
Frank VaisvilasExamples of forever chemical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Water utilities will now have to filter out five of more than 12,000 types of individual forever chemicals — PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA, also known as GenX chemicals.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is taking a hard stance on toxic forever chemicals.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Winner: Protection from toxic chemicals House Bill 1399 would have changed the definition of toxic forever chemicals in Indiana and thus put Hoosiers at risk, according to experts, had quite the journey this session.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024
Almost half of the tap water in the US is contaminated with these substances, which are also known as forever chemicals, according to a 2023 study from the US Geological Survey.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
Today, how millions of Americans are exposed to forever chemicals.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
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
Water utilities will now have to filter out five of more than 12,000 types of individual forever chemicals — PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA, also known as GenX chemicals.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is taking a hard stance on toxic forever chemicals.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Winner: Protection from toxic chemicals House Bill 1399 would have changed the definition of toxic forever chemicals in Indiana and thus put Hoosiers at risk, according to experts, had quite the journey this session.
—Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024
Almost half of the tap water in the US is contaminated with these substances, which are also known as forever chemicals, according to a 2023 study from the US Geological Survey.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024
Today, how millions of Americans are exposed to forever chemicals.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forever chemical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Forever chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever%20chemical. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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