They’re called “forever chemicals” for a reason, because they never go away. Found in everything from nonstick pans to bottled water, these synthetic compounds have quietly built up in our bodies and environments for decades.1 And now, growing research shows that their effects are far from invisible.
These chemicals, formally known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), don’t break down naturally.1 Once they enter the bloodstream, they can stay there for years, accumulating in organs and tissues.1 Scientists are discovering links between PFAS exposure and a growing list of health issues, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, thyroid disorders, infertility, and weakened immune response.2
And while everyone is exposed at some level, the burden is not equal. In Black and Brown communities, especially those near industrial plants, military bases, or contaminated water systems, the exposure risk is significantly higher.3
This isn’t just an environmental story. It’s a public health crisis hiding in plain sight.
What Are “Forever Chemicals”?
PFAS are a family of more than 12,000 man-made compounds that have been used since the 1940s to make everyday products water-, grease-, and stain-resistant.2 They’re in:
- Nonstick cookware (like Teflon-coated pans).2
- Water-repellent clothing and shoes.2
- Fast-food wrappers and takeout containers.2
- Cleaning products and carpeting.2
- Firefighting foam and industrial coatings.2
Because they don’t break down easily, these chemicals seep into soil, air, and groundwater.2 They can travel long distances, build up in the food chain, and eventually end up in us.2
In fact, studies from the CDC have detected PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans.4 And while it might sound abstract, the impact is anything but. These chemicals can disrupt nearly every system in the body, contributing to a range of health problems that scientists are only beginning to understand.2
How “Forever Chemicals” Impact Your Health
PFAS chemicals are sometimes called “the invisible threat” because their damage unfolds slowly.2 They interfere with hormones, weaken immunity, and cause inflammation that sets the stage for a chronic condition.2 Here’s a closer look at the conditions researchers have most strongly linked to long-term PFAS exposure:
1. Autoimmune Conditions
One of the most concerning discoveries is the link between PFAS and autoimmune disorders, which are conditions in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.
PFAS appear to interfere with how immune cells communicate and regulate themselves, creating the kind of overactive immune response that can lead to chronic conditions.2
Researchers have found that people living in areas with higher PFAS contamination show greater immune system dysregulation, which may contribute to earlier onset and more severe symptoms in vulnerable populations.2
2. Certain Types of Cancer
Multiple studies link PFAS exposure to cancers of the kidney, liver, and testicles. Because these organs are responsible for filtering waste and chemicals from the body, they’re particularly vulnerable to toxic buildup.2
PFAS chemicals can damage DNA, interfere with hormone signaling, and promote tumor growth.2 The National Cancer Institute reports that communities with contaminated drinking water often show higher rates of these cancers, especially among residents who have been exposed for decades.3
3. Thyroid Disorders
Your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck, plays a huge role in regulating metabolism, energy, and hormone balance. PFAS chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimic or block natural hormones in the body.2
This interference can lead to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), which causes fatigue, weight gain, and depression.2 Women, particularly Black women, face higher risks of thyroid conditions, and environmental pollutants like PFAS may worsen that disparity.2
4. Reproductive Health and Fertility Problems
PFAS can also affect reproductive hormones, menstrual cycles, and pregnancy outcomes. Studies have linked higher PFAS levels to reduced fertility, low birth weight, and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.5
In men, PFAS exposure has been connected to lower testosterone and sperm quality. These effects are subtle but long-lasting, underscoring how even small doses over time can have generational impact.5
Black and Brown women are disproportionately affected by these issues due to both higher environmental exposure and gaps in reproductive care access, further widening the health equity divide.3
5. Metabolic Conditions (Cholesterol, Obesity, and Hypertension)
PFAS exposure has been shown to raise LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and increase the risk of high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that can lead to heart disease and diabetes.2
These chemicals interfere with how the body processes fats and sugars, leading to inflammation in blood vessels and the liver. For communities already facing higher rates of obesity and hypertension, PFAS exposure adds yet another layer of risk.3
Environmental Injustice in Our Communities
Environmental pollution has never been distributed equally. Black and Brown communities are more likely to live near manufacturing plants, landfills, and contaminated water supplies, places where PFAS levels are highest.3
For example:
- A report by the Environmental Working Group found that majority-Black counties in the South had some of the highest levels of PFAS-contaminated drinking water in the U.S.4
- Neighborhoods near military bases, airports, and industrial corridors, often communities of color, face decades of exposure without cleanup or compensation.3
- Residents may also lack access to testing, filtration, or replacement infrastructure, further widening health disparities.3
These exposures compound the chronic stress already linked to higher rates of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and autoimmune conditions in these same populations.3
This is why environmental justice is health justice. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we grow food in all shape our health outcomes, and right now, the scales are tipped against the most vulnerable.
What You Can Do to Reduce Exposure
While large-scale cleanup and policy change are essential, there are steps you can take today to lower your exposure at home:
- Filter your drinking water. Use a carbon or reverse-osmosis filter certified to remove PFAS. Check your local water report for contamination levels.6
- Avoid nonstick cookware. Switch to stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic.6
- Limit packaged and fast food. Grease-resistant wrappers often contain PFAS. Cooking fresh meals reduces exposure.6
- Choose PFAS-free products. Look for “PFAS-free” or “fluorine-free” labels on rain gear, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies.6
- Advocate locally. Encourage your community leaders to test water supplies and demand cleanup efforts in historically overexposed neighborhoods.
Small shifts create collective impact, especially when paired with advocacy and accountability.
Accountability and Prevention
Forever chemicals are a reminder that health begins far beyond the doctor’s office. It begins in the policies that regulate industries, the neighborhoods where we live, and the environments we inherit.
The science is catching up, but the truth has been clear for decades: what we allow in our environment eventually shows up in our bodies.
Protecting Black and Brown communities from environmental toxins isn’t just about fairness, it’s about survival. Because forever chemicals may last forever, but so can our commitment to health equity.
References
- EPA. (2025, September 30). PFAS Explained. Retrieved from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
- Fenton, S. E., Ducatman, A., Boobis, A., DeWitt, J. C., Lau, C., & Ng, C. (2020). Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. doi:10.1002/etc.4890
- Maruzzo, A. J., Hernandez, A. B., Swartz, C. H., Liddie, J. M., & Schaider, L. A. (2025). Socioeconomic Disparities in Exposures to PFAS and Other Unregulated Industrial Drinking Water Contaminants in US Public Water Systems. Environmental Health Perspectives Journal. doi:https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14721
- NIH. (2025, May 6). Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Retrieved from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc
- Temkin, A., & Stoiber, T. (2024, March 5). PFAS and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity: An EWG Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2024/03/pfas-and-developmental-and-reproductive-toxicity-ewg-fact-sheet
- Press, N. A. (2022, July 28). Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up. Retrieved from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584691/
