Khaberni - A report by the German News Agency stated that PFAS compounds, known as "forever chemicals", are found in almost everything in daily life, including drinking water.
The report added that increasing scientific evidence has linked these toxic substances to health problems, such as an increased risk of cancer, yet avoiding them remains extremely difficult.
Research conducted in the United Kingdom in 2024 showed that "forever chemicals" were present in 95% of strawberries.
A study conducted in 2025 on products such as sweets, pasta, baked goods, and flour from various parts of Europe revealed that about 4 out of 5 products contained a type of these toxic substances that disrupt hormone function.
These substances are extremely stable, and it takes hundreds of years for them to decompose, meaning that PFAS compounds likely in your body will outlive you, according to the report.
Because of their ability to repel dirt, water, and fats, they are used in coatings, printing inks, and even in some medications.
Yana Coleman, a chemical expert at a German environmental organization, advises looking for products labeled "free of forever chemicals" or "fluorocarbon-free".
Tips
The chemical expert explains that forever chemicals are often found in non-stick cookware coatings, in materials treating shoes and fabrics to make them waterproof, as well as in furniture, furnishings, and carpets. They are also used in single-use paper packaging, such as ready-to-drink cups and pizza boxes, while alternatives are available for many of these products.
According to the report, consumers can use product scanning apps to find out if these products contain this type of toxic substances.
However, the report says, the widespread prevalence of these substances and their long-term effects mean that most consumers are exposed to them even with attempts to avoid them.
What are forever chemicals?
- Forever chemicals are a group that includes more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals, taking an exceptionally long time to decompose.
- They consist of a chain of carbon atoms linked to fluorine, making them resistant to grease, oils, water, and heat.
- First used in the 1940s, they are now used in hundreds of products, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, waterproof fabrics, carpets, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams.
- Despite their benefits, exposure to them, even at low levels over time, is linked to a range of health hazards: liver damage, increased cholesterol levels, weakened immune response, reduced birth weight, and several types of cancer.
