forever chemical

English

Etymology

forever + chemical. From being a chemical compound which is highly unlikely to break down.

Noun

forever chemical (plural forever chemicals)

  1. (journalism, environmentalism) Synonym of PFAS (per- and poly- fluoroalkyl subtance)
    • 2020, Sarah Gibbens, "Toxic forever chemicals more common in tap water than thought, report says.", National Geographic
      Some of the most commonly used PFAS chemicals, like PFOS and PFOA (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid) have long half-lives, earning them the moniker the forever chemical.
    • 2020, Bruce Y. Lee, "Forever Chemicals In Your Drinking Water, It Is Worse Than Previously Thought", Forbes
      These are the Keith Richards of chemicals, known as forever chemicals because they can survive for years without really breaking down.
    • 2019, Jamie Feldman, "Here's Everything We Know About The Forever Chemicals In Food", Huffington Post
      Forever chemicals have infiltrated water across 43 states nationwide, impacting the drinking supply of about 19 million Americans.
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