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PFAS forever chemicals in non-stick cookware.

What Are Forever Chemicals? Hidden PFAS in Everyday Products

11 min read

We were sold a grease-proof burger wrapper, a waterproof school coat, a stain-resistant sofa, leak-proof period underwear and a watch strap that can survive sweat, sunscreen and a shower.

What we were rarely sold was the chemistry behind those promises.

Many products marketed as waterproof, grease-proof, stain-resistant, non-stick or easy-clean rely on PFAS: a large group of synthetic chemicals commonly called forever chemicals. Their ability to repel oil, water and stains made them commercially useful. Their ability to persist in the environment, indoor dust, water systems and human bodies is what makes them a public-health problem.

The issue is not that PFAS fail to work. The issue is that they work for far longer than the product they were added to.

This is not an argument for fear, or for replacing your whole home overnight. It is an argument for transparency. Consumers deserve to know what is making a product repel, resist or stay spotless — and whether that feature is worth the chemistry behind it.

What are forever chemicals?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It is not one chemical. It is a large family of thousands of fluorinated chemicals used in products and industrial processes.

Many PFAS contain exceptionally strong carbon-fluorine bonds. That chemistry helps them resist heat, oil, water and breakdown. It is also why many PFAS remain in soil, water and the wider environment for long periods.

They are called “forever chemicals” because many do not break down easily once released. Some can also remain in the human body for years, depending on the specific compound.

PFAS are not microplastics. Microplastics are particles. PFAS are chemicals. But both are part of the same wider problem: modern products are often designed around persistent synthetic materials, while consumers are given little information about what those materials may leave behind.

Why are PFAS used in everyday products?

PFAS are used because they perform well. They can make paper resist grease, fabrics repel water, paints spread more smoothly, cookware less sticky and sportswear more resistant to sweat and stains.

That is exactly why they became so widespread.

But “performance” is not automatically a benefit. A grease-proof wrapper is used for minutes. A stain-resistant sofa may last years. A waterproofing spray can coat an entire room. A fitness-watch strap can sit tightly against the skin day and night.

Every “repels”, “resists”, “easy-clean”, “waterproof”, “non-stick” or “long-lasting” claim should trigger one question: what chemistry is doing the work?

Where do PFAS hide at home?

PFAS are not confined to one room or one product category. They can appear in food-contact packaging, treated textiles, furniture finishes, cosmetics, cookware, paints and wearable technology.

Product or category	Why PFAS may be used	What to question or look for
Takeaway wrappers, bakery bags and food-to-go packaging	Grease and moisture resistance	Choose simple, uncoated packaging where possible; transfer hot food onto a plate at home.
Children’s food pouches	Flexible, shelf-stable, leak-resistant multi-layer packaging	Vary packaging formats; use fresh, frozen, jarred or homemade options where realistic.
Period underwear and reusable pads	Leak resistance, moisture management and stain resistance	Ask brands whether they test for PFAS and publish results.
School coats, rainwear and sportswear	Waterproofing, stain resistance and durability	Look for PFAS-free or fluorine-free options when replacing items.
Curtains, sofas, carpets and easy-clean fabrics	Stain resistance and spill protection	Avoid unnecessary stain guards; choose untreated fabrics where practical.
Mattress protectors and bedding finishes	Waterproof barriers and stain resistance	Look for untreated cotton, wool or certified PFAS-free options.
Paints, varnishes and sealants	Flow, durability, stain resistance and surface performance	Ask manufacturers about PFAS-free formulations and choose low-emission products.
Non-stick cookware	Low-friction, non-stick surfaces	Replace damaged or heavily scratched pans with stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or enamelled alternatives.
Cosmetics and sunscreen	Water resistance, spreadability and long wear	Keep using SPF, but choose brands that disclose ingredients and state PFAS-free or fluorine-free where available.
Smartwatch and fitness-tracker straps	Sweat, oil and stain resistance	Check for fluoroelastomer, fluororubber or FKM; consider non-fluorinated fabric, metal or silicone alternatives.

Are PFAS used in food packaging and children’s food pouches?

Food packaging is one of the clearest examples of how convenience has been normalised without proper transparency.

PFAS have historically been used in grease-resistant food-contact materials, including takeaway wrappers, bakery bags, microwave popcorn bags, butter wrappers, pizza boxes and paper-based packaging for oily or dry foods. The reason is simple: they stop grease and moisture weakening the paper.

But packaging is sold as disposable. PFAS are not.

Once a food wrapper, liner or container has done its job, its chemistry does not simply disappear. PFAS can move through waste streams, water systems and the wider environment. Some PFAS can also migrate from food-contact materials into food.

Children’s food pouches deserve a more honest conversation too. They are marketed as easy, portable and mess-free, but their packaging can be materially complex: flexible plastic layers, adhesives, inks, barrier films and coatings designed to keep food shelf-stable and squeezeable.

This does not mean every pouch contains PFAS. It means parents are usually given no meaningful information about the full chemistry of the packaging touching the food.

The problem is not that every pouch contains one named chemical. The problem is that parents are expected to trust a packaging system they cannot see, assess or compare.

What to do: do not aim for perfection. Reduce reliance on single-use flexible packaging where it is easy: use fresh fruit, homemade snacks, glass jars, frozen options or larger-format foods when they suit your routine.

Are PFAS found in period underwear and reusable pads?

They have been found in some products.

A 2025 study of reusable menstrual products found PFAS across tested items, with levels suggesting intentional use in a proportion of period underwear and reusable pads. The likely reason is not difficult to imagine: these products are designed to manage liquid, resist staining and create barrier layers.

That is what makes this issue so uncomfortable. Products worn close to intimate skin for hours at a time should not require consumers to become materials scientists just to understand what they are buying.

Not every product contained the same PFAS levels. That matters because it shows PFAS are not technically inevitable. Brands can make reusable menstrual products without intentionally adding them.

The fact that some manufacturers can produce effective products without PFAS proves that “leak-proof” does not have to mean “chemical mystery”.

What to do: ask brands whether they test for PFAS, whether they publish results, and whether their products are made without intentionally added PFAS. Do not rely only on vague claims such as “natural”, “clean” or “non-toxic”.

Are PFAS used in curtains, mattresses, paint and easy-clean fabrics?

They can be.

PFAS have been used in stain-resistant and water-resistant textiles, including rainwear, upholstery, carpets, tablecloths, mattress protectors and bedding finishes. Their appeal is obvious: they make liquids bead up, stains easier to wipe away and fabrics appear more durable.

But “easy-clean” is not a neutral upgrade. It can mean a persistent chemical treatment has been added to a product that sits in your home for years.

Curtains, sofas, rugs, mattress protectors and easy-wash fabrics are especially important because they are part of the indoor environment. We sit on them, sleep beside them, wash them, vacuum around them and live with the dust they generate.

Laundry is another area where “performance” is often sold as a benefit. Strong fragrance, fabric conditioners and “long-lasting freshness” are designed to leave ingredients behind on clothes, bedding and towels after washing — the very fabrics that sit against our skin every day.

Choosing a fragrance-free detergent with fewer unnecessary additives is one simple way to reduce what is repeatedly left on those fabrics. Our Spruce Laundry Detergent Sheets are fragrance-free, plastic-bottle-free and designed to clean without synthetic perfume or fabric conditioner residue.

Research has also identified paints as a potential indoor source of volatile PFAS. Paint is often treated as a one-time home-improvement choice, but it can affect indoor air long after the decorating has finished.

The dark side of “easy-clean” is that the coating does not vanish when the spill does. It can remain in the product, move into household dust and persist long after the curtain, sofa or mattress protector has been replaced.

What to do:

Do not add stain-guard or waterproofing sprays unless there is a genuine need.
Choose untreated fabrics where practical, especially for bedrooms and children’s spaces.
When replacing bedding, mattress protectors or curtains, look for PFAS-free or fluorine-free claims from brands that provide clear material information.
Choose paint brands that publish ingredient, emissions and PFAS information rather than relying on vague “eco” claims.

What about cookware, disposable cutlery, cosmetics and sunscreen?

PFAS are not limited to packaging and textiles.

Non-stick cookware: fluorinated chemistry has been used in non-stick surfaces for decades. This does not mean every pan is an emergency, and it does not mean you need to discard a safe, intact pan immediately. But heavily scratched, damaged or repeatedly overheated non-stick cookware is a sensible place to reassess. When replacing it, stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic and enamelled cookware can reduce reliance on fluorinated non-stick coatings.

Disposable cutlery and food-to-go products: the bigger exposure question is usually the whole package rather than the fork alone: hot food, oily sauces, black plastic trays, lids, coatings and wrappers touching a meal from restaurant to home. Transfer food onto a plate when possible and avoid reheating it in the original packaging.

Cosmetics and sunscreen: fluorinated compounds have been detected in some cosmetics and personal-care products, including water-resistant formulas. But sunscreen is not optional. UV protection remains important for preventing sun damage and skin cancer. The useful response is not to stop using SPF; it is to choose brands that are transparent about ingredients and, where possible, confirm their formulas are PFAS-free or fluorine-free.

What to do: use sunscreen, but demand better transparency. Replace damaged cookware over time, not in a panic. And question disposable food-to-go packaging that gives you minutes of convenience but creates a much longer material legacy.

Do smartwatch and fitness-tracker straps contain PFAS?

Some do.

A 2024 study tested 22 smartwatch and fitness-tracker bands and found high fluorine levels in 15. The highest PFAS concentrations were found in bands made from fluoroelastomer, a fluorinated synthetic rubber designed to resist sweat, oils, sunscreen, heat and staining.

That is the PFAS story in miniature: a product marketed as more durable, more sweat-resistant and easier to clean may achieve that performance through fluorinated chemistry.

The study did not prove how much PFAS transfers from a wristband into the body during ordinary wear. But the concern is not trivial. These straps are worn directly against skin, often during exercise, often when the body is warm and sweating, and for many people, overnight.

A product marketed as “skin-friendly” should not require consumers to decode whether the strap touching their skin all day is made from a fluorinated material.

What to do: check your band’s material. “Fluoroelastomer”, “fluororubber” and “FKM” are terms worth avoiding where practical. Consider fabric, metal, leather or non-fluorinated silicone alternatives, especially if you wear your device around the clock.

What can PFAS do to the body?

The strongest evidence is not identical for every PFAS. This is important because PFAS is a large class, not one single chemical. But for some of the best-studied compounds, public-health agencies and cancer authorities have already identified serious concerns.

Health effects with stronger human evidence for some well-studied PFAS

Altered cholesterol: certain PFAS have been associated with higher cholesterol levels.
Liver effects: associations include changes in liver enzymes and liver-related effects.
Immune effects: PFAS exposure has been associated with reduced antibody response to some vaccines.
Pregnancy-related effects: evidence includes associations with pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia for some PFAS.
Developmental effects: some studies and health assessments identify associations with lower birth weight and developmental outcomes.
Cancer: the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

This is not a debate about whether PFAS are harmless. The evidence is already strong enough for health agencies and cancer authorities to act.

Health areas under active research

Research is also investigating PFAS in relation to thyroid function, fertility, reproductive hormones, metabolic health, neurodevelopment, asthma, allergies, autoimmune disease and wider immune dysregulation.

For autoimmune disease, the evidence is not yet strong enough to say PFAS are proven to cause autoimmune conditions in the general population. But immune effects are already a central concern, and researchers are actively investigating whether long-term disruption of immune pathways may contribute to autoimmune or inflammatory disease.

The absence of final certainty is not evidence of safety. It is evidence that thousands of chemicals entered daily life far faster than they were properly studied.

How can you reduce PFAS exposure without making life impossible?

You cannot shop your way out of a system-wide pollution problem. PFAS contaminate water, food systems and the wider environment. Regulation and manufacturer accountability matter far more than individual perfection.

But you can reduce unnecessary product-based exposure by changing a few defaults over time.

Skip waterproofing sprays and stain guards unless they are genuinely needed.
Choose PFAS-free or fluorine-free rainwear, school sportswear and outdoor clothing when replacing items.
Transfer hot takeaway food from packaging onto a plate or bowl when you get home.
Choose simpler food-contact materials where possible: glass, ceramic and stainless steel for hot food and drinks.
Ask period-product brands whether they test for PFAS and publish results.
Choose untreated fabrics for curtains, sofas, bedding and children’s spaces where practical.
Replace damaged non-stick cookware gradually with stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or enamelled alternatives.
Keep using sunscreen, but support brands that provide transparent PFAS-free formulation information.
Check smartwatch straps for fluoroelastomer, fluororubber or FKM, especially when the device is worn during workouts and overnight.

The one question to ask before buying anything

What is making this product repel water, grease or stains — and do I actually need that feature?

That question will not solve PFAS pollution on its own. But it will help you see through the language of convenience.

A stain-resistant curtain, grease-proof wrapper, waterproof sofa spray or sweat-resistant watch strap may feel like a small upgrade. But the chemical burden is rarely explained at checkout, and the long-term burden is carried by households, water systems and future generations.

The goal is not to fear every product in your home. It is to stop mistaking convenience for safety.

Glossary

PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of synthetic chemicals used for water, grease, stain and heat resistance.

Forever chemicals: A common name for PFAS because many resist breakdown in the environment for long periods.

PFOA: Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS classified by IARC as carcinogenic to humans.

PFOS: Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Fluoroelastomer: A fluorinated synthetic rubber used in some smartwatch straps and performance products because it resists sweat, oils, heat and staining.

FKM: A technical label often used for fluoroelastomer materials.

Food-contact material: Any material intended to touch food or drink, including wrappers, cups, lids, containers, cookware and utensils.

Fluorine-free: A claim generally used to indicate a product is made without fluorinated chemistry. Always look for clear, specific evidence from the manufacturer.

Migration: The movement of a chemical from packaging, coating or another material into food, drink, air or dust.

Indoor dust: Dust inside homes that can collect particles and chemicals released from furnishings, textiles, electronics and consumer products.