Understanding Forever Chemicals: Why PFAS Matter
At Bio-D, we’re committed to creating cleaning and personal care products that are safe for people, wildlife, and the environment. One of the most important reasons for this commitment is avoiding PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called “forever chemicals.” These synthetic chemicals are found in a wide range of products, from cleaners and cosmetics to food packaging. They’re incredibly persistent, which means they don’t break down easily in the environment or the human body.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS are a large family of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades to repel water, grease, and stains. You’ve likely encountered them in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, cleaning products, and personal care items. Even some packaging for fast food, takeout containers, and snack wrappers can contain PFAS to prevent oil and moisture from soaking through.
The problem with PFAS is their extreme chemical stability. These compounds can persist in soil, water, and living organisms for decades. Research has detected PFAS in places as remote as Arctic ice and in wildlife such as polar bears. This persistence is why they’ve earned the nickname “forever chemicals.”
Health Concerns Linked to PFAS
Exposure to PFAS is not just an environmental issue—it’s a human health concern. Studies have linked high levels of some PFAS to a range of serious health effects, including:
Because PFAS can remain in the body for years, even small daily exposures from multiple sources can accumulate over time. This gradual build-up is known as the body burden of PFAS, and it increases the risk of long-term health impacts.
Why PFAS Matter in Cleaning and Personal Care Products
Cleaning products and personal care items are key areas where PFAS exposure can occur. Some cleaning products contain PFAS-based surfactants, which leave residues on floors, counters, and other surfaces.
This can be particularly concerning for households with young children, who often crawl and put their hands in their mouths, as well as for pets who spend time on the floor and can be exposed to these chemicals
Similarly, PFAS are used in cosmetics and personal care items to make them more water-resistant, longer-lasting, or smoother. This means that lotions, foundations, mascaras, and lip products containing PFAS can be absorbed directly through the skin, eyes, or mouth, increasing daily exposure.
PFAS in Packaging: A Hidden Source
Many consumers are unaware that PFAS can also be present in product packaging. These chemicals are sometimes applied to food containers, snack wrappers, and other packaging materials to resist grease and moisture. PFAS can migrate from packaging into the products themselves, meaning your food, snacks, or other items may contain trace amounts of these harmful substances.
The risks extend beyond consumption. When PFAS-treated packaging is thrown away, the chemicals can leach into soil and waterways from landfills, contaminating drinking water sources and impacting nearby communities. Choosing products and packaging free of PFAS helps reduce this widespread environmental contamination.
Practical Reasons to Avoid PFAS
Avoiding PFAS isn’t just about individual health—it’s about collective impact. By choosing PFAS-free cleaning products, personal care items, and packaging, you reduce your cumulative exposure, which is one of the few levers individuals have in a world where these chemicals are so widespread.
Additionally, choosing PFAS-free alternatives helps limit downstream pollution. This reduces harm to workers involved in manufacturing and waste processing, communities living near production and disposal sites, and wildlife exposed to contaminated soil and water.
How to Identify PFAS on Labels
One challenge is that PFAS are often hidden behind complex chemical names. To help you avoid them, watch for these common PFAS ingredients:
Even if you’re diligent, it’s important to recognize that PFAS are present in many everyday products and packaging, which is why choosing brands committed to PFAS-free formulations is essential.
Bio-D’s Commitment
At Bio-D, we design every product and its packaging to be free of PFAS and other harmful chemicals. This means you can trust that our cleaning products, personal care items, and packaging materials will not contribute to the accumulation of “forever chemicals” in your body or the environment.
By choosing Bio-D, you’re taking an active step to protect yourself, your family, and the planet. You’re also supporting a movement toward cleaner, safer consumer products and packaging that reduce the widespread impact of toxic chemicals.
PFAS are among the most persistent and concerning chemicals in modern consumer products. Their ability to resist degradation, accumulate in the environment, and remain in the human body for years makes them a serious health and ecological concern.
Avoiding PFAS in your cleaning products, personal care items, and packaging is one of the most effective ways to reduce your exposure and make a positive environmental impact. Reading labels carefully, choosing PFAS-free alternatives, and supporting companies like Bio-D are practical, powerful ways to limit the harm of these “forever chemicals.”
Your choices matter, not just for your health, but for the health of our planet. By avoiding PFAS, you’re helping to reduce the toxic burden on humans, wildlife, and ecosystems for generations to come.
