3M announced in mid-December that it's phasing out a family of harmful chemicals, but they're not going away.
The "forever chemicals," known collectively as per- and polyfluorinated substances or PFAS, are used in everything from carpeting to nonstick pans to dental floss. The chains of carbon-fluorine bonds are excellent at repelling stains, grease and water, and even snuffing out dangerous fuel fires. But they also don't break down in the environment, and they linger in people's bodies for years.
Research has linked the chemicals to developmental and immune problems, fertility issues and some cancers.
