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

Landfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.—

Sammy Fretwell

—often used in plural

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.—

Layne Cameron

Forever 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

PFAS, 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

Van 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

Examples of forever chemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Resistant to water and oil, and impossible to break down in the environment or the body, forever chemicals have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues and immune system damage, among a myriad of other health concerns. —

Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2024 Here’s how that approach resulted in the new Targhee IV, a shoe that won’t delaminate and is free of forever chemicals. —

Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2024 New federal regulations require water utilities to reduce forever chemical levels to near zero. —

Nicole Cobler, Axios, 12 Sep. 2024 The researchers plan to continue research into the potential sleep disruptions of these forever chemicals. —

Michael Irving, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forever chemical

Word History

First Known Use

2010, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of forever chemical was in 2010

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Forever chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever%20chemical. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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