These “forever chemicals” are sneaking into your body every single day.
You’ve probably heard the term PFAS tossed around—maybe in a news article, a documentary, or on a label that says “now PFAS-free.” But what are they, really? These synthetic chemicals were designed to resist water, grease, and heat, which is great for stain-proof carpets and nonstick pans—but not so great for your health. The problem? They don’t break down. Not in the environment, and not in your body.
Once they’re in your system, they tend to stay. And they’ve been linked to a long list of health issues, from hormone disruption to cancer to immune dysfunction. The scary part is how quietly they’re showing up. They’re not always in obvious places, and most people have no idea how often they come in contact with them. If you’re trying to reduce your exposure, it helps to know exactly where they’re hiding in your everyday routine.
1. Nonstick pans are leaking PFAS straight into your food.
That smooth, slippery coating that keeps eggs from sticking to your pan? It’s often made with PFAS—especially in older nonstick cookware. As reported by Ecocenter, these chemicals can break down and leach into your food when pans are scratched or heated past certain temperatures. Even if you’re not scraping burnt cheese off the bottom, high heat alone can start to release those compounds into the air and into what you’re cooking.
Some newer cookware is labeled “PFAS-free,” but unless it’s explicitly stated, there’s a good chance that trusty skillet you’ve had for years is still coated in the stuff. And because these chemicals are heat-stable, they don’t just cook off and disappear. They accumulate. The more you use that pan, the more you risk dosing your meals with toxic leftovers. It’s an easy fix—switch to stainless steel or cast iron and avoid the chemical side dish.
2. Takeout containers and fast food wrappers are often coated in it.
That greasy burger wrapper or leak-proof salad bowl might look harmless, but there’s a reason it resists oil so well—PFAS. According to Stacey Leasca for Food and Wine, restaurants and takeout chains use PFAS-based coatings for their water- and grease-resistant properties, which can transfer these chemicals into the food you’re eating.
The worst part? You can’t see or taste it. You might be thinking you’re playing it safe by skipping plastic packaging, but even compostable containers have tested positive for PFAS coatings.
Heat, moisture, and pressure from stacking all make it easier for chemicals to migrate. Unless the brand or restaurant specifically says “PFAS-free,” there’s a good chance your convenience meal came with a side of toxins—no extra charge.
3. Tap water in many areas still contains PFAS.
Municipal water systems across the U.S. have detected PFAS in drinking water, and not just in industrial zones. Per the U.S. Geological Survey, PFAS contamination has been found in both rural and urban areas, with some places exceeding federal advisory limits.
Standard water treatment systems weren’t built to filter out PFAS. So unless your local utility uses advanced filtration or reverse osmosis, those compounds are probably coming straight out of your faucet. And yes, boiling your water doesn’t help—in fact, it might concentrate the chemicals. If you want to cut your exposure, look into a home filter system specifically rated to remove PFAS. It won’t fix the larger contamination issue, but it can help keep your water cleaner while the system catches up.
4. Microwave popcorn bags are loaded with PFAS on the inside.
That buttery bag of microwave popcorn seems harmless, but the convenience comes with a cost. The inner lining of most popcorn bags is coated with PFAS to prevent oil from soaking through. When the bag heats up in the microwave, those chemicals can leach into the popcorn—and straight into your body.
Studies have found that people who regularly eat microwave popcorn have higher levels of PFAS in their blood. And it’s not just one or two brands—it’s common across the board unless the packaging clearly says otherwise. Even some “natural” or organic versions still use grease-resistant coatings. If you’re a popcorn lover, the safer move is to make it on the stovetop or with an air popper. You’ll skip the PFAS exposure and get to customize the toppings without worrying about what else is sneaking in.
5. Stain-resistant furniture and carpets are off-gassing PFAS into your home.
If your couch, rug, or even your car upholstery claims to repel stains or spills, chances are PFAS are involved. These “performance” coatings make fabrics water- and grease-resistant—but they also break down over time, releasing particles into your indoor air and dust. You don’t have to eat your couch to ingest PFAS. Just breathing, sitting, or touching treated surfaces is enough to pick it up.
Indoor dust becomes a delivery system, especially for kids and pets who spend time closer to the ground. And while newer products may advertise being “PFC-free,” that doesn’t always mean they’re free of all PFAS. If you’re buying new furniture, look for labels that clearly say “PFAS-free” or ask retailers about chemical treatments. For existing pieces, frequent vacuuming and opening windows can help reduce exposure—though it won’t remove the chemicals already built in.
6. Waterproof makeup and personal care products are surprisingly contaminated.
Think waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, or no-smudge lipstick. That magical staying power often comes from PFAS-based ingredients. A recent study found PFAS in a surprising number of popular beauty products—even ones that didn’t list the chemicals on the label. They can be absorbed through your skin, inhaled, or even ingested when wearing lip products.
The kicker? Cosmetics companies aren’t always required to disclose PFAS on their ingredient lists. So even if you’re checking labels, you might not catch them. Look for third-party certifications or use databases like EWG’s Skin Deep to research safer alternatives. You don’t have to toss your entire makeup bag overnight, but if something promises all-day wear and extreme water resistance, it’s worth checking if that staying power is backed by something toxic.
7. Dental floss can leave behind more than just a clean smile.
Some brands of dental floss, especially the smooth, glide-style types, are coated with PFAS to help them slide more easily between teeth. Sounds convenient—until you realize you’re running toxic, bioaccumulative chemicals along your gum line. These coatings can transfer directly into your bloodstream through the soft tissues in your mouth, especially with daily use.
One study found significantly higher PFAS levels in people who regularly used floss containing the chemical. The worst part? You’d never know from the label. Most floss packaging doesn’t list coating ingredients.
If you want to avoid the risk, switch to PFAS-free floss made from silk or biodegradable fibers. Brands that care usually say so right on the box. Clean teeth are great, but not if you’re trading plaque for toxins in the process.
8. Nonstick baking paper and muffin liners aren’t as innocent as they look.
Many parchment papers and baking liners are coated with PFAS to make them greaseproof. They might look like paper, but that slick, no-stick surface is often chemically treated—and when you bake at high heat, those chemicals can transfer into your food. Muffin cups, cookie sheet liners, and even some cupcake wrappers are all potential culprits.
You’d think something sold for use in a hot oven would be safe, but unless it clearly says “unbleached and PFAS-free,” there’s no guarantee. Luckily, there are better options: uncoated parchment paper, silicone baking mats, or even buttering your pan the old-fashioned way. It’s a small switch that can take one more source of PFAS out of your kitchen without sacrificing convenience or cleanup.
9. Bottled water can contain PFAS—especially in plastic packaging.
If you think bottled water is safer than tap, think again. Testing has found PFAS in bottled water brands across the U.S.—sometimes at levels higher than what’s allowed in municipal systems. The problem isn’t just the water source. PFAS can leach in during bottling, from packaging, or even from the treatment process itself.
And if the bottle is made of soft plastic, it’s more prone to chemical leaching—especially if it’s been stored in a hot warehouse or left in a car. You’re paying a premium for purity, but you might be getting a dose of forever chemicals with every sip. A home filter with PFAS-rated certification and a reusable water bottle is often safer, cheaper, and way less wasteful.
10. Fast-drying outdoor gear is often soaked in PFAS-based treatments.
That “waterproof, windproof, stain-proof” jacket you love for hikes? There’s a good chance it’s treated with PFAS. These chemicals are used in technical gear to keep moisture and stains from ruining fabrics—but they don’t stay locked in. With wear, sun exposure, and washing, PFAS slowly shed from the fabric and into your skin, the air, and eventually the water system.
And it’s not just jackets. Boots, backpacks, gloves, and even tents are often treated the same way. Some outdoor brands have committed to going PFAS-free, but many still use them without disclosing it clearly. If your gear boasts “DWR” (durable water repellent) or “advanced stain protection,” do a little digging before assuming it’s clean. The outdoors shouldn’t come with a side of chemical exposure.
11. Grease-resistant pizza boxes and takeout containers are often to blame.
That shiny interior on your pizza box or fry container isn’t just wax—it’s often a PFAS coating designed to stop oil from seeping through. But when hot, greasy food meets that treated surface, it acts like a delivery system for chemical exposure. PFAS can migrate from packaging into your meal, especially when heat and moisture are involved.
You can’t always tell just by looking, but a lot of packaging labeled as “recyclable” or “compostable” still contains PFAS. That’s why it’s best to replate food onto your own dishes when possible—and push for restaurants and brands that advertise PFAS-free packaging. It might feel like a small risk, but over time, it adds up.
12. Contaminated soil means fruits and vegetables aren’t immune.
PFAS don’t just stay in packaging or water—they end up in the soil, too. When fields are irrigated with contaminated water or treated with PFAS-laced sludge (often from wastewater treatment plants), the chemicals can be absorbed by crops. That means even fruits and vegetables grown in seemingly healthy soil can carry trace amounts of PFAS by the time they reach your plate.
It’s more common in areas near industrial sites or large-scale farms using biosolids, but it’s hard to spot without detailed testing. Washing produce helps remove some surface contaminants, but PFAS absorbed into the plant tissue isn’t so easily removed. Buying organic or local from farms that test their water and soil can lower the risk, but this is one area where broader environmental policy has to do the heavy lifting.
13. Airborne PFAS particles are being inhaled indoors and out.
PFAS aren’t just ingested—they can also be inhaled. Treated textiles, carpets, and clothing shed tiny particles that become part of indoor dust. Outside, manufacturing plants and incinerators release PFAS into the air, which can settle in neighborhoods far from the original source. Once airborne, these particles can be breathed in and absorbed through your lungs.
This is especially risky for people living near factories or fire training facilities where PFAS-containing foams are used. But indoor exposure is more widespread than most people realize. Ventilation, air purifiers, and choosing untreated household products can help reduce the load. Still, this is one of those invisible risks that flies under the radar—but it’s very real.
14. “Eco-friendly” cookware and textiles can still hide PFAS under vague labels.
Labels like “green,” “non-toxic,” and “eco-safe” sound comforting, but they don’t always mean what you think. Some brands use these terms loosely, applying them to products that still contain PFAS or other problematic chemicals. “PFOA-free” sounds good, but it might just mean they’ve swapped one PFAS for another slightly different one.
Unless a brand is certified PFAS-free or offers full transparency on ingredients, take greenwashing claims with a grain of salt. This is especially true for things like bakeware, reusable water bottles, and “clean” cleaning products. If you’re trying to reduce your exposure, your best bet is to research beyond the label and support companies that back up their claims with real data—not just trendy buzzwords.