The harmful health effects of PFAS have been known for over two decades, with internal industry documents revealing evidence of toxicity as early as 1995. Despite clear and mounting scientific evidence, including a 2020 study linking PFAS to immune dysfunction and increased cancer risk, our government has failed to take meaningful action. Today, PFAS are detected in the blood of 97–100% of Americans, including newborn babies. These forever chemicals are linked to serious health effects backed by peer-reviewed studies and major health agencies, including cancer, infertility, hormone disruption, immune suppression, liver damage, low birth weights, developmental delays in children, and metabolic disorders.

PFAS are found in everyday items from non-stick cookware and cosmetics to food packaging, and contaminate nearly every water system in the country. Fire-fighting foam is a major source. Used on military bases and airports, this foam has contaminated groundwater in thousands of communities, often at dangerously high levels. One study found more than 45% of U.S. drinking water is contaminated with at least one type of PFAS. Wastewater sludge containing PFAS is also often used as cheap fertilizer to spread on farmland, perpetuating contamination. Recent research from Australia's Flinders and Newcastle universities found that even a single scratch or tiny crack in a Teflon‑coated pan can release approximately 9,000 micro‑ and nanoparticles into food during cooking. If the coating is severely damaged, shedding can escalate to over 2 million particles. According to the EPA, there is no “safe” level of exposure to PFAS and they have even proposed limits as low as 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for certain PFAS in drinking water. This is an amount so small it's equivalent to one drop in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. That means even trace exposures, repeated daily, could contribute to long-term health harm.

Companies such as 3M and DuPont have been aware of health hazards since the late 1960s. Internal documents show they intentionally kept the dangers secret, concealed evidence, and downplayed risks while continuing to manufacture and profit off PFAS products, echoing behavior once seen in the tobacco industry.

Simple Steps to Reduce Your PFAS Exposure

1. Switch to 360 stainless steel cookware. Unlike most cookware, 360 cookware is 100% free of toxic coatings and chemicals- no PFAS, PFOA, or any mystery metals. They are crafted in the USA, using high-quality stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about contamination or unknown materials like you would with many pans made overseas. No coatings. No toxins. Just clean, safe cooking.
   
   
2. Drink filtered water. It’s important to drink water that is filtered from PFAS and most filters unfortunately do not do that, so double check your water purifier to make sure it’s been 3rd party tested to remove PFAS. Reverse osmosis is usually the best option, especially if you are on city water. 
   
   
3. Eat organic. Sewage sludge is not allowed to be used as a fertilizer in organic farming, so you greatly reduce your risk of being exposed to PFAS by eating organic.
   
   
4. Wear natural fiber clothes. Many fabrics are made of material that contain PFAS to make them water resistant, stain resistant, or wrinkle-free. Athletic wear, rain coats, are all very likely to contain these forever chemicals. Instead, opt for natural fiber clothing such as organic cotton or linen.
   
   
5. Detox daily. See our article here on how to support the body’s natural ability to detox.

We may not be able to control everything, but we can take meaningful steps to reduce exposure in our homes and communities. Choosing safer products, filtering our water, and eating organic sends a clear message: we will not accept toxic chemicals in our daily lives. Change starts at home. When we shift to safer, cleaner living, we not only protect our own health, we help drive a larger movement for accountability and transparency. We can do this while we also demand greater transparency, accountability, and regulation from corporations and government agencies alike.