PFAS
Also known as ’forever chemicals’, PFAS are a family of industrial-made chemicals that coat many commercial and household products, to make them water, oil, and stick resistant. PFAS have been used in household products like carpets, cookware, aerosol cans, cosmetic products, food wrappers, paper products, and furniture, and more for over 80 years.
Due to their special chemical nature, PFAS will not break down naturally over time. They are not permanently bound to the products they are placed upon, inevitably leading them to shed into the natural environment. They have been found moving through rain, oceans, and groundwater, ending up in our soils, crops, and drinking water.
Once they have entered our bodies, their chemical structure resembles that of essential hormones, such as estrogen, or hormones that regulate the thyroid, causing them to disrupt important bodily functions. They have been found to cause thyroid complications, testicular and kidney cancer, developmental complications, chronic inflammation, and immune system impairment.
Plastics and Microplastics
Plastics are used all around the world, to make everyday items like household containers, paints, car tires, and cosmetic products. But over time, whether exposed to sunlight, salt water, or other environmental factors, large plastics begin to break down into smaller pieces. These fragments, along with plastics manufactured to be incredibly small, have eventually found their way into our air, food, and drinking water.
Plastics is a very large category; the feel and durability of plastic wrap is very different than that of a plastic cutting board, yet they are still both plastics. When plastics are manufactured, there are many different chemicals that are added to increase the durability and flexibility of the end-product.
When ingested, depending on the added chemicals, plastics may cause immune dysfunction, altered metabolism, chronic inflammation, harm gut health, liver disfunction, reproductive issues, and carcinogenicity.
Another plastic additive that has been discussed are BPAs or Bisphenol A. This additive makes plastics sturdy and heat resistant. Often products like reusable water bottles, are labeled as ‘BPA Free’, which can be misleading. These products may still contain similar chemicals that cause health complications, such as hormone disruption, and may affect reproductive health.
Conclusion
This factsheet is not meant to scare but to inform you about chemicals that we encounter every day. We live in an imperfect, convenience‑driven world, and eliminating all plastics or non-stick pans is neither realistic nor recommended. Even adopting one or two of these practices over time is a meaningful step in the right direction. These chemicals are not disappearing anytime soon, but small, practical changes can help reduce your exposure and support long‑term health.