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
Leyland CeccoinLandfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.—Sammy Fretwell
—often used in pluralSammy FretwellPFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.—Layne Cameron
Layne CameronForever 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
Hannah NormanPFAS, 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
Amanda MorrisVan 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
Frank VaisvilasExamples of forever chemical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Related article Scientists discover concerning new source of ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The NIH and White House did not respond to ProPublica’s request for comment.
—Annie Waldman and Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The board now wants to figure out if fire-fighting foams, which contain the forever chemical, were a significant source of a massive subsurface plume of those substances.
—Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Water filtration was a major trend at the show, with under-sink and whole house systems that address microplastics as well as lead and forever chemicals.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Chemical manufacturers are urging Trump to eliminate ethylene oxide regulations adopted by Biden and the first national limits on certain forever chemicals in drinking water.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
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Annie Waldman and Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The board now wants to figure out if fire-fighting foams, which contain the forever chemical, were a significant source of a massive subsurface plume of those substances.
—Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
Water filtration was a major trend at the show, with under-sink and whole house systems that address microplastics as well as lead and forever chemicals.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Chemical manufacturers are urging Trump to eliminate ethylene oxide regulations adopted by Biden and the first national limits on certain forever chemicals in drinking water.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forever chemical
Cite this Entry
“Forever chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever%20chemical. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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