Dictionary

forever chemical en · NOUN

Etymology

From forever + chemical. From being a chemical compound which is highly unlikely to break down.

Meanings

1. (in-plural, often) Synonym of PFAS (“perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance”).
   • U.S. industrial conglomerate 3M Co (MMM.N) on Tuesday set a 2025 deadline to stop producing PFAS, the "forever chemicals" used in anything from cell phones to semiconductors that have been linked to cancers, heart problems and low birth weights. 2022 December 20, “3M to end 'forever chemicals' output at cost of up to $2.3 bln”, in Reuters:
   • They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down and have been found to accumulate in humans. [2021 May 13, Tom Perkins, “Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast milk”, in The Guardian, retrieved 13 May 2021:
   • These are the Keith Richards of chemicals, known as forever chemicals because they can survive for years without really breaking down. 2020 January 23, Bruce Y. Lee, “Forever Chemicals In Your Drinking Water, It Is Worse Than Previously Thought”, in Forbes:
   • Forever chemicals have infiltrated water across 43 states nationwide, impacting the drinking supply of about 19 million Americans. 2019 June 7, Jamie Feldman, “Here's Everything We Know About The Forever Chemicals In Food”, in Huffington Post:
   • Some of the most commonly used PFAS chemicals, like PFOS and PFOA (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid) have long half-lives, earning them the moniker the forever chemical. 2020 January 24, Sarah Gibbens, “Toxic forever chemicals more common in tap water than thought, report says.”, in National Geographic:

Forms

Synonyms

PFAS