The Threat of Forever Chemicals

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Pollution, Sustainability, Science & Society

Ed Hessler

PFAS. "per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals...are long-lasting-compounds that ...have been linked to cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and other ailments." Now that is a worrisome list and the issue is they show up in nearly everywhere, e.g., soil, ground water, drinking water sources, even rainfall." In other words, you can't hide from them. "By some estimates, this toxic family of chemical can be found in the blood of nearly every person on the planet.

Their uses include firefighting foams, waterproof clothes and nonstick cookware.

They are commonly called "forever chemicals," with reason.

CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Lee Cowan provides a tour of how they became so ubiquitous, "and talks with families, farmers, and health advocates fighting for clean, save water."

The video is 11m 21s long.