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

Landfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.

—Sammy Fretwell

—often used in plural

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.

—Layne Cameron

Forever 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

PFAS, 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

Van 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

Examples of forever chemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here’s how that approach resulted in the Newport, a hybrid shoe that’s free of forever chemicals. —Outside Online, 9 Sep. 2024

Investigative Data Reporter Austin Fast discusses who cities are blaming for PFAS forever chemicals in their water. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2024

These super-strong bonds also make tracing forever chemicals difficult. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Aug. 2024

Organofluorine compounds—the umbrella term for forever chemicals—are everywhere: not just in clothing or other consumable commodities, but in the ocean, the soil, even the human body. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above