forever chemical

noun

plural forever chemicals
: a toxic substance and especially a synthetic chemical (as of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances group) that persists and accumulates in the environment
not used technically
Canadian researchers have discovered high levels of a "forever chemical", used in making toilet paper, in the bodies of endangered killer whales, sparking fears the toxic substance could further harm them.Leyland Ceccoin
Landfills, military bases and firefighting training centers also are thought to be sources of forever chemical pollution.Sammy Fretwell
often used in plural
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are colloquially known as "forever chemicals" because they are so difficult to break down.Layne Cameron
Forever chemicals are used as surface treatments to block water and stains. In fact, a 2022 report by Toxic-Free Future, an environmental health research and advocacy organization, found that nearly three-quarters of products labeled as water- or stain-resistant tested positive for them.Hannah Norman
PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals commonly used since the 1940s, are called "forever chemicals" for a reason. Bacteria can't eat them; fire can't incinerate them; and water can't dilute them.Amanda Morris
Van Zile said many people love a Wisconsin Friday fish fry, but many fish are found with high levels of forever chemicals, such as mercury, and that we're slowly poisoning ourselves.Frank Vaisvilas

Examples of forever chemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In April, the Environmental Protection Agency set drinking water limits for six forever chemicals, including PFOS and PFBS. ProPublica, 24 May 2024 Essentially, as many as 5,000 chemicals the rest of the world recognizes as PFAS would no longer be considered toxic forever chemicals. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024 Biden administration sets first-ever limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water Still, testing, monitoring, and remediation will not fully solve this problem. Anne Hulick and Bill Lucey, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2024 More:New test could help Wisconsinites identify 'forever chemicals' in their blood Wisconsin residents celebrate designation Among the places celebrating the new rule are communities such as Peshtigo, where PFAS contamination has forced private well owners to rely on bottled water for years. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024 After years of reporting on forever chemicals, ProPublica reporter Sharon Lerner had one question that still nagged at her. ProPublica, 24 May 2024 It is also polluted by forever chemicals that 3M once dumped upstream. Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 20 May 2024 Colorado officially has a ban on forever chemicals, joining a growing list of states taking action to eliminate the chemicals linked to cancer from a wide array of products, including cosmetics, carpets and food packaging. Natasha Lovato, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024 And the presence of forever chemicals isn’t exactly purity. Jack Greiner, The Enquirer, 5 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forever chemical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forever chemical was in 2001

Dictionary Entries Near forever chemical

Cite this Entry

“Forever chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forever%20chemical. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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