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INVISIBLE OVERLOAD > PFAS
PFAS
FOREVER CHEMICALS
From Teflon to Tap Water: How PFAS Became a National Crisis
PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, water, oil, and stains. Nicknamed “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down naturally and can linger in the environment—and in our bodies—for decades. Since the 1940s, they’ve been used in everything from nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing to fast food wrappers and firefighting foam. Today, PFAS are found in the blood of nearly every American and have contaminated drinking water supplies across the country, often without our knowledge. Despite mounting evidence of serious health risks, these chemicals remained largely unregulated for decades.
How PFAS Made Their Way Into Our Water
PFAS enter our water through industrial waste, runoff, and even what we flush down our drains. Wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to remove these chemicals, so they cycle right back into rivers, groundwater, and eventually—our taps.
Common sources include:
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Manufacturing plants and firefighting foam
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Everyday products washed down the drain
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Landfill runoff and PFAS-laced fertilizer sludge
Even trace amounts can linger in the environment for decades and end up in drinking water—without our knowledge.
Government + Industry: When Oversight Falls Short
The delay in regulating PFAS wasn’t accidental. There is growing evidence of regulatory capture—a disturbing pattern where government agencies, including the EPA, appear to protect industry interests over public health.
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The EPA was first alerted to the risks of PFAS in 2001, but it took more than 20 years to establish enforceable limits. In the meantime, companies like DuPont and 3M continued manufacturing and releasing these chemicals—often withheld scientific data that showed how toxic they truly are.
The Teflon Connection
One of the most infamous PFAS compounds is PFOA, used to make Teflon™. DuPont, the manufacturer of Teflon, knowingly released toxic PFAS into the air and water around its plants. This is no longer speculation—it’s documented.
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Teflon's Toxic Legacy (Earth Island Journal)] A look back at the history of chemical regulation in the US, and the role that DuPont itself played in crafting those laws.
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​Dark Waters (film)
Based on attorney Robert Bilott’s 20-year legal battle exposing how DuPont poisoned a community—and the world—with PFAS.
PFAS at Home: The Products We Use Without Knowing
PFAS are not just in nonstick pans and factory waste—they’re in everyday products:
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Stain-resistant carpets and furniture
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Waterproof clothing
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Food packaging (like fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags)
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Makeup, dental floss, and even some "eco-friendly" products
This makes exposure nearly unavoidable without conscious action.
Health Risks: What’s at Stake
Even at “near-zero” levels, PFAS are linked to:
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Increased risk of cancer (especially kidney and testicular)
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Hormone disruption
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Immune system suppression
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Developmental delays in children
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Elevated cholesterol
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Thyroid disease
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Reproductive issues
3M Forced to Pay Billions After PFAS Lawsuits Over Drinking Water Contamination
To underscore the gravity of the issue, one of the largest chemical manufacturers in the world, 3M, was compelled to settle a multibillion-dollar lawsuit after decades of producing and distributing PFAS compounds linked to widespread contamination of U.S. drinking water systems.
In June 2023, 3M agreed to a multibillion-dollar settlement following extensive litigation over its role in widespread PFAS contamination of public drinking water systems across the United States. This settlement, reached under significant legal pressure, requires 3M to pay up to $10.3 billion over 13 years to assist public water suppliers in identifying and removing toxic PFAS chemicals from drinking water. The agreement reflects growing legal and public demands for accountability after decades of PFAS use and environmental persistence.
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