Research · 03
The chemicals that don't break down.
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a class of synthetic chemicals used in non-stick coatings, waterproof fabrics, and firefighting foam since the 1940s. They're called "forever chemicals" because their carbon-fluorine bonds are nearly indestructible. Once they enter the environment, they stay.
They're in nearly half of tap water samples
A 2023 study published in Environment International found PFAS in approximately 45% of US tap water samples tested across 716 locations. Similar contamination levels have been documented in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The 2024 skin absorption breakthrough
For decades, scientists believed PFAS couldn't cross the skin barrier because the molecules are electrically charged. A 2024 study from the University of Birmingham tested 17 different PFAS compounds on human skin equivalent models. Of those 17, 15 showed substantial dermal absorption — at least 5% of the exposure dose entering the body through skin contact alone.
Health implications
PFAS exposure has been linked to lowered immune response, thyroid dysfunction, decreased birth weight, liver damage, and certain cancers. Because PFAS accumulate in the body and don't break down, every exposure adds to a lifetime burden.
Sources: Ragnarsdóttir et al., 2024, Environment International; University of Birmingham PFAS dermal absorption study.