Some chemicals that are found in everyday household items can pose a threat to our health, especially when they leach out of those items and contaminate our waterways or food.
One common class of chemicals, called PFAS, is used in a variety of products including outdoor clothing, rugs, food packaging and non-stick pans. The problem is that PFAS exposure has been linked to a variety of severe health problems, including immune suppression and even cancer.
Worse still, they’re so persistent in our bodies and in the environment that they’ve been given the nickname “forever chemicals.” The more they’re used, the more they build up and the bigger the threat they pose to our health.
We’re working to protect the health of all Americans by passing laws and winning corporate commitments to reduce the use and disposal of PFAS — because it’s not worth risking our health just for a waterproof rain jacket or grease-resistant food wrapper.
Here’s a deeper look into the PFAS problem and what we can do about it.