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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Senay Boztas in Amsterdam

The race to destroy the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluting our world

People entering the freezing water for the traditional new year's swim in Scheveningen
Swimmer plunge into the water for the traditional new year's swim in Scheveningen, Netherlands, where PFAs have been found in the sea foam. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

“Forever chemicals” are in our drinking water sources, sea foam and spray, rain and groundwater, sea ice, and even human blood – so now efforts are increasing to detect, remove and destroy them.

With increasing evidence linking per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with cancers, birth defects and negative effects on the immune systems of humans and animals, pressure is growing to restrict these handy waterproofing chemicals that are in everything from Teflon pans and medical devices to cosmetics and pizza boxes.

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