Forever Chemicals

FILE - Dust flies as a farmer plows over a failed cotton field, Oct. 4, 2022, in Halfway, Texas. Drought and extreme heat have severely damaged much of the cotton harvest in the U.S., which produces roughly 35% of the world's crop. The impacts of climate change hit communities across the country, yet voters in rural areas are the least likely to feel Washington is in their corner on the issue. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

WYPR News

Maryland lawmaker takes steps to ban PFAS pesticides from sale in the state

Scott Maucione

PFAS is linked to a host of medical issues when ingested by humans.

Betty Rivas buys water from a refill station Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Commerce City, Colo. Rivas was startled by a letter telling her that the drinking fountains her 8-year-old used at school weren't safe. Her family is one of many in the community who do not drink the tap water and instead buy water from potable refill stations around town. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)

WYPR News

Maryland AG joins others with growing concern over 3M ‘forever’ chemical settlement

Scott Maucione

It’s estimated that 200 million Americans were exposed to PFAS through drinking water.

Programs

Are "forever chemicals" really forever?

Sheilah Kast

Forever chemicals are nicknamed ‘‘forever’ because their tight chemical bonds resist breaking down and linger in our environment and our bodies. But these human-made compounds, also known as PFAS, might not be as invincible as they sound.