“Forever chemicals” usually means PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This family contains thousands of chemicals valued for resisting grease, water, stains and heat. Many PFAS persist for extremely long periods, although individual chemicals differ greatly in toxicity, mobility and how long they remain in the body.

It is impossible to name every PFAS-containing household item because formulations vary by brand, manufacturing date and country—and manufacturers do not always disclose PFAS. Therefore, the following is a list of products that may contain PFAS or have PFAS coatings, not a claim that every example does.

According to the EPA and ATSDR, exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with increased cholesterol, reduced antibody response to some vaccines, developmental and reproductive effects, liver effects and increased risk of certain cancers. The evidence is strongest for a limited number of well-studied PFAS, rather than every chemical in the family. EPA health-effects overview and ATSDR PFAS information.

Kitchen and food-storage products

The FDA identifies four historical food-contact applications: nonstick coatings, food-processing-equipment gaskets, manufacturing aids and grease-proof paper packaging. In 2024, the FDA announced that manufacturers had completed a voluntary phase-out of PFAS grease-proofing substances authorized for U.S. paper food packaging. Older products, imports and non-paper applications require separate consideration. FDA food-contact PFAS information.

Furniture, carpets and household fabrics

Potential products include:

• Carpets advertised as stain-resistant, soil-resistant or easy-clean
• Carpet tiles and certain carpet backings
• Upholstered sofas and chairs treated against stains
• Recliners, dining-chair seats and office chairs with treated fabric
• Mattresses and mattress protectors with water- or stain-resistant finishes
• Waterproof or stain-resistant furniture covers
• Curtains and draperies with stain-, water- or flame-resistant treatments
• Tablecloths and placemats advertised as spill-proof
• Outdoor cushions and patio-furniture fabric
• Waterproof shower curtains and fabric shower liners
• Treated rugs and doormats
• Fabric-protection sprays applied to furniture, shoes or carpets
• Certain artificial-leather and treated-leather products
• Floor waxes, protective floor finishes and carpet-cleaning treatments

PFAS used in older treated furnishings can migrate into indoor dust. Regular wet-dusting, mopping and vacuuming with an effective filter can reduce dust exposure. The EPA lists carpets, textiles, leather, apparel, polishes, waxes, paints and cleaning products among possible PFAS-associated consumer goods. EPA consumer-product overview.

Clothing and personal accessories

PFAS may be found in products marketed as waterproof, weatherproof, stain-proof, oil-resistant or “durable water repellent,” including:

• Raincoats and rain pants
• Waterproof jackets and breathable membranes
• Hiking and ski clothing
• Snow gloves and waterproof work gloves
• School uniforms or work clothes treated for stain resistance
• Firefighter turnout gear
• Oil- and chemical-resistant industrial clothing
• Waterproof boots, hiking shoes and treated sneakers
• Stain-resistant ties, shirts, pants and dresses
• Waterproof hats
• Backpacks and school bags
• Tents, tarps and awnings
• Sleeping bags
• Luggage
• Umbrellas
• Treated leather shoes, purses and belts
• Watchbands and certain technical fabrics

Not all waterproof products contain PFAS. Look for claims such as “PFAS-free,” “fluorine-free” or “PFC-free.” “PFOA-free” is less informative because the product could contain another PFAS.

Cosmetics and personal-care products

Some formulations may intentionally use fluorinated ingredients for smoothness, durability, water resistance or film formation. Potential categories include:

• Long-wear foundation
• Waterproof mascara
• Eyeliner
• Liquid lipstick and long-lasting lip products
• Concealer
• Face powder
• Blush and eye shadow
• Primers and setting products
• Moisturizers and anti-aging products
• Sunscreen
• Shaving products
• Certain hair products
• Nail polish

Possible label terms include:

• PTFE
• Perfluoro-
• Polyfluoro-
• Fluoroalkyl
• Perfluorodecalin
• Perfluorononyl dimethicone
• Perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane
• Ingredients containing “fluoro” or “perfluoro”

A fluorinated ingredient is not automatically one of the highly studied PFAS such as PFOA or PFOS, but it is a reasonable signal to investigate.

Dental and medical-type household products

Potential examples include:

• Some “glide”-style dental floss made with PTFE
• Certain medical tapes and bandages with water-resistant coatings
• Water-resistant wound dressings
• Stain-resistant reusable medical textiles
• Some tubing, membranes, seals and specialty medical components

Do not confuse fluoride in toothpaste with PFAS. Fluoride ions are chemically different from persistent, carbon-fluorine PFAS compounds.

Cleaning, repair and maintenance products

Depending on the formulation, PFAS have been used in:

• Carpet and upholstery stain protectors
• Waterproofing sprays
• Shoe-protection sprays
• Leather-treatment products
• Floor wax and polish
• Furniture polish
• Certain glass and surface treatments
• Car wax and paint-protection coatings
• Windshield water-repellent treatments
• Automotive upholstery treatments
• Degreasers
• Lubricants and specialty greases
• Paints and primers
• Varnishes and sealants
• Caulks and adhesives
• Plumbing thread-seal tape, commonly called PTFE tape
• Specialty inks
• Ski and snowboard waxes, particularly older fluorinated racing wax
• Bicycle-chain treatments and specialty lubricants
• Certain aerosol propellants and refrigerant-related materials

This does not mean every cleaner, paint, lubricant or wax contains PFAS. Product purpose and formulation matter.

Electronics, tools and appliances

PFAS and fluoropolymers can appear in components where heat, friction or electrical resistance is important:

• Wire and cable insulation
• Internal electronic components
• Circuit-board processing materials
• Semiconductor components
• Computer and phone parts
• Lithium-ion battery components
• Appliance wiring
• Refrigerator and air-conditioner components
• Heat-resistant seals and gaskets
• Power-tool components
• Plumbing seals, valve seats and O-rings
• Fluoropolymer hoses and tubing

For these products, the PFAS are often contained inside durable components. They do not necessarily create the same direct exposure potential as contaminated drinking water, treated food packaging or deteriorating surface coatings.

Household water, food and dust

PFAS may also enter a household without being an ingredient in a purchased product:

• Tap water in affected communities
• Some private wells
• Bottled water, depending on the source and treatment
• Fish and shellfish from contaminated waters
• Produce grown in contaminated soil or irrigated with contaminated water
• Meat, eggs or milk from animals exposed to contaminated water or feed
• Indoor dust
• Soil tracked into the home
• Garden produce grown near a contaminated facility
• Food processed with PFAS-containing equipment
• Food stored in treated packaging

For many affected communities, drinking water can be a more important exposure source than cookware.

Why nonstick frying pans can be a concern

Traditional nonstick pans usually use PTFE, a fluoropolymer within the broad PFAS definition. Several related but distinct issues are often mixed together.

1. PFOA and PTFE are not the same substance

PFOA was historically used as a processing aid in manufacturing some fluoropolymer coatings. Major U.S. manufacturers phased out PFOA production and use under an EPA stewardship program, but:

• Older cookware may have been made during the PFOA era.
• Imported products may follow different standards.
• Replacement processing aids can themselves belong to the PFAS family.
• Calling a pan “PFOA-free” does not necessarily mean it is free of every PFAS or fluoropolymer.

2. Extreme overheating can break down the coating

PTFE is relatively stable during ordinary use, but an empty pan heats rapidly. At sufficiently high temperatures, the coating can deteriorate and release fumes. In people, heavy exposure can cause temporary polymer-fume fever, with flu-like symptoms. Birds are considerably more sensitive, and fumes from badly overheated PTFE cookware can be fatal to pet birds.

Practical precautions:

• Do not preheat an empty nonstick pan on high.
• Use low-to-medium heat.
• Provide ventilation while cooking.
• Never leave the pan unattended.
• Keep pet birds well away from the kitchen.
• Follow the manufacturer’s temperature limits.

3. Scratching and peeling shorten the pan’s useful life

Metal utensils, abrasive cleaners and severe wear can damage the surface. Swallowing an occasional visible flake is not generally considered a poisoning emergency because PTFE is poorly absorbed, but a peeling pan no longer performs properly and can continue deteriorating. Replacement is sensible.

4. The largest concern is broader PFAS pollution

Manufacturing and disposal can release persistent PFAS into water, soil and air. Therefore, a pan’s environmental footprint can be important even when ordinary use of an intact pan does not produce a large proven exposure.

Good fluoropolymer-free cookware choices include:

• Cast iron
• Carbon steel
• Stainless steel
• Enameled cast iron
• Glass bakeware
• Uncoated ceramic cookware

“Ceramic nonstick” should be verified with the manufacturer because advertising terminology is inconsistent.

Do microwave ovens kill the nutrients in food?

No. Microwave ovens do not uniquely “kill” or destroy all the nutrients in food. That claim is not supported by the scientific evidence.

Any form of cooking can reduce some heat-sensitive nutrients. The principal factors are:

• Temperature
• Cooking time
• Amount of water
• Exposure to oxygen
• Whether nutrient-rich cooking liquid is discarded

Microwaving often cooks food quickly with very little water. Consequently, it can retain as much or more vitamin C, B vitamins and other nutrients than boiling, where water-soluble vitamins leach into water that is then poured away. Minerals are not destroyed by microwave energy, although they can move into cooking liquid. Proteins, starches and fats undergo the normal changes caused by heat.

Harvard Health explains that short cooking time and limited water make microwaving one of the better methods for nutrient retention. Harvard Health: microwave cooking and nutrition. Scientific reviews likewise report only small differences between microwave and conventional cooking, with the outcome depending on the food and method.

Situations in which microwaving can reduce nutrients

Nutrients can be lost when food is:

• Overcooked
• Reheated repeatedly
• Cooked in excessive water and then drained
• Heated for much longer than necessary
• Left uncovered until it dries or burns

Those are primarily heat, time and water effects, not a special destructive property of microwave radiation.

Safer microwave practices

• Use glass or microwave-safe ceramic.
• Avoid heating food in damaged, old or non-microwave-safe plastic.
• Do not microwave takeout containers unless expressly labeled for it.
• Do not place nonstick cookware, metal or foil in the microwave unless the appliance instructions specifically permit it.
• Cover food loosely to retain moisture, while allowing steam to escape.
• Stir and rotate food because microwave heating can be uneven.
• Let food stand briefly after cooking so temperatures equalize.
• Use minimal water when cooking vegetables.
• Avoid overheating oils and very dry foods.

Microwave energy is non-ionizing radiation. It heats food principally by interacting with polar molecules, especially water. It does not make the food radioactive.

The most useful ways to reduce PFAS exposure

You do not need to discard everything in your home at once. Focus on the most plausible exposure routes:

1. Check your drinking water. Review the water utility’s consumer-confidence report or have a private well tested by a qualified laboratory.
2. Use an appropriate certified filter if contamination is present. Granular activated carbon and reverse osmosis can reduce certain PFAS, but performance varies. Replace filters on schedule.
3. Replace badly worn nonstick cookware. Choose stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel or enamel when buying new cookware.
4. Avoid overheating nonstick pans.
5. Reduce grease-resistant disposable food packaging.
6. Choose PFAS-free stain- and water-repellent products.
7. Check cosmetics for fluorinated ingredient names.
8. Vacuum and wet-dust regularly, especially in homes with older treated carpets or upholstery.
9. Wash hands before eating, particularly for young children who play on floors.
10. Be skeptical of incomplete labels. “PFOA-free” does not equal “PFAS-free,” while “non-toxic” and “eco-friendly” have no consistent meaning unless supported by specific certification.

The goal should be sensible exposure reduction, not panic: the presence of a fluoropolymer component does not by itself establish that a product delivers a dangerous dose during normal use.