Why are PFAS called forever chemicals?

PFAS are called forever chemicals because the carbon-fluorine bond at the core of their molecular structure is one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. This bond is so resistant to degradation that no natural process, whether biological, chemical, or physical, can break it down under normal environmental conditions. Once PFAS are released into the environment or enter your body, they persist essentially indefinitely.

In practical terms, this means PFAS accumulate over time. The half-life of some PFAS compounds in the human body is estimated at 4 to 8 years, meaning it takes years for your body to eliminate even half of the amount absorbed. With ongoing daily exposure from clothing, food packaging, water, and other sources, the body burden continues to rise throughout a lifetime.

Because PFAS do not break down, they concentrate in water supplies, soil, and living organisms in a process called bioaccumulation. This is why detectable PFAS levels have been found in virtually every person tested worldwide. Reducing exposure by choosing PFAS-free products, including clothing, is essential for minimizing your personal accumulation of these persistent chemicals.