Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured chemicals widely used in various industrial and consumer products due to their water- and grease-resistant properties.
The agents have been around for nearly 70 years and can be found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, fast-food and grocery food packaging, microwave popcorn bags, cosmetics, dental floss, firefighting foam, electronics, and cleaning products.
As awareness grows and regulations change, many companies and industries are working to reduce or eliminate these chemicals due to health and environmental concerns. As the Environmental Protection Agency continues to analyze the data, new regulations are being developed each year.