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Imagine a substance that can perform an array of valuable services, and is also astoundingly durable. In the 1940s, 3M and DuPont discovered this wonder product. A class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) offered long-lasting use in a spectrum of applications and products, including stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, and enhancing the effectiveness of firefighting chemicals.
Eighty years later, PFAS’ ubiquity and durability have come back to haunt humanity. They have been so widely used, are so good at moving around, and are so durable that they’re now found virtually everywhere.