What is the Origin of PFAS Forever Chemicals?

PFAS were developed in the 1940s for their water and grease-repellent properties, leading to their widespread use in consumer products and industrial applications. The recognition of their persistence and subsequent toxicity led to their classification as a major environmental and human health concern in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

What is the Mechanism of PFAS Forever Chemicals?

PFAS primarily exert their toxicity by binding to nuclear receptors, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate gene expression related to lipid and glucose metabolism. They are also known to interfere with the thyroid hormone axis by altering thyroid hormone transport proteins and inhibiting the uptake of iodide into the thyroid gland. Their long biological half-life ensures chronic, low-level disruption of these critical endocrine pathways.

PFAS Forever Chemicals ∞ Area

PFAS Forever Chemicals

Meaning

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals characterized by a carbon-fluorine bond, making them highly resistant to degradation in the environment and the human body, hence the moniker “forever chemicals.” Clinically, these are significant endocrine-disrupting chemicals that accumulate in tissues and are associated with thyroid disease, altered lipid metabolism, and immune suppression.