PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl (poly-floro-alkuhl) substances. They’re often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they degrade so slowly. Molly Frazar Lahey is a researcher with a doctorate in chemical engineering whose dissertation at UK involved PFAS research and remediation. She said PFAS are water, oil and fire-resistant.
“That's why they were used in firefighting foams for so long, still are. They've got all those amazing properties, which is why they're using so many different things. You know, your Teflon coated pans, your GORE TEX raincoat, your couch that has like stain resistant fabric on it. All of those things have PFAS.”
