Forever chemicals have become a bit of a buzzword lately because of the health concerns they pose when people are exposed to large quantities of them.
The term designates a large group of different man-made chemicals that are present in a variety of products, both commercial and industrial.
We'll go over what exactly forever chemicals are in this article, as well as what products they're found in, and the risks they pose to our health and the environment. Plus, we'll give you tips on how to avoid them.
How harmful are forever chemicals to humans?
Forever chemicals can have harmful effects on humans.
They can increase our risk of developing health conditions such as cancer, liver disease, obesity, and fertility issues, according to the European Environment Agency.
Studies have also concluded that forever chemicals can affect the immune system, and make vaccines less effective, especially in children.
Low levels of forever chemicals aren't necessarily harmful. The problem comes when we're exposed to high levels of them. Unfortunately, since they're in almost everything we eat, drink, and touch, the likelihood of this happening is high.
Are there forever chemicals inside you?
There's a high likelihood that forever chemicals are inside you. They've even been found in people from remote Inuit communities, according to non-profit organisation PFAs Free.
The most likely way you've ingested forever chemicals is through food and water, where they can be present in low levels.
In the case of water, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) does have guidelines for water companies in England and Wales on what levels of forever chemicals are acceptable. But that doesn't mean that none are allowed.
The current limit is 0.1 micrograms per litre, but this rule only applies to certain, and not all, forever chemicals.
How to avoid forever chemicals
It's impossible to completely avoid forever chemicals, but you can reduce your exposure to them by adopting certain habits.
We'll go over a few tips for limiting your exposure to forever chemicals in the following sections.
Does Brita filter forever chemicals?
Brita water filters might be able to filter out some forever chemicals, but they won't get rid of all of them. There are some companies that offer filters designed specifically to filter out more than 90% of forever chemicals, such as Zero Water.
What are examples of forever chemicals?
The most well-known type of forever chemicals are PFAs, which are present in the coating of non-stick, grease or stain resistant products. Teflon non-stick pans, for example, are a popular product that contain PFAs.
Does bottled water contain PFAs?
Some but not all bottled water contains PFAs. A 2021 study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that 39 out of 101 different bottled water products had PFAs. The study showed products labelled as "purified" were less likely to have PFAs.
