Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because of their ability to persist in the environment and bioaccumulate over time. Breaking these chemicals would require an enormous amount of heat energy; and therefore PFAS can remain in waters, on soils, and on pavements for a long period of time.

PFAS chemicals, due to their marketable ability to repel both oil and water, are found in a myriad of consumer products: non-stick cookwares, dental floss, paints, and carpets.

However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that high exposure to these chemicals can cause serious medical complications, such as cancers, birth defects, and hormone disruptions.

According to an estimate from the 2011−2012 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Exam ...