PFAS: The Forever Chemical
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Your waterproof work boots. The box from last night’s pizza. The 10-year old Teflon pan in your kitchen cabinet. They all contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ‒ a class of over 4,000 man-made chemicals containing strongly bonded fluorine and carbon atoms. Known as “forever chemicals“ because they don't degrade over time, PFAS are ubiquitou, resistant to heat, water and grease, and are utilized in almost every industry.
Most people in the U.S. have been exposed to PFAS and have it in their blood serum. These chemicals are currently the subject of litigation in federal and state courts due to their alleged health effects. They likely represent an expanding exposure for insurers.