Podcast Summary: Am I Doing It Wrong? – "Here’s What You Need To Know About Forever Chemicals"
Hosts: Raj Punjabi-Johnson and Noah Michelson
Guest: Dr. Tasha Stoiber, Senior Scientist at EWG
Release Date: February 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode tackles one of today's more pressing anxieties: "forever chemicals," also known by their scientific acronym PFAS. Hosts Raj Punjabi-Johnson and Noah Michelson bring in expert Dr. Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), to demystify where these chemicals are lurking in daily life, what health dangers they pose, and, most importantly, what simple steps listeners can take to reduce their exposure. The show aims for harm reduction rather than fear-mongering, arming listeners with practical, actionable tips to keep themselves safer in a world where these chemicals are seemingly unavoidable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Are Forever Chemicals / PFAS?

• Definition: PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a class of thousands of chemicals defined by very stable carbon-fluorine bonds.
• Where You Find Them: Notable commercial names include Teflon (cookware) and Scotchgard (fabrics/carpets).
• Properties: They are prized for stain resistance, non-stick, and wrinkle-free qualities.
• Problem: Those same strong bonds that give them "useful" properties also mean they don’t break down in the environment or our bodies, earning the "forever" moniker.

"It's this bond that gives these chemicals their properties… but it's also the reason that these chemicals are a problem and that they're building up in the environment—they don't break down."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (04:46)

2. History and Secrecy

• Origins: Developed in the 1930s, with use exploding from the '50s–'80s.
• Hidden Harms: Internal documents revealed companies knew PFAS caused health harms decades ago but kept this hidden for profit.

"They knew that they were causing harm to workers... linked to cancer... but they kept this information from the public for years and years."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (06:26)

3. How Widespread Are PFAS?

• They’re Everywhere: From cookware, cosmetics, clothing (especially performance wear and outerwear), shoes, carpets, and furniture to bedding and even dental floss.
• Marketing Over Need: Many products use PFAS primarily as a marketing hook, not necessity.

"It's just been used... as a marketing tool to sell people a lot of stuff that we really don't need."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (07:53)

4. Health Impacts of PFAS

• Scientific Findings:
  • Major long-term studies (e.g., in West Virginia) link PFAS exposure to testicular and kidney cancer, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, preterm births, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
  • Both animal and population studies repeatedly find similar negative health impacts.
• Particularly Vulnerable: Workers at manufacturing plants, firefighters, residents near contaminated sites, and children (due to dust on carpets/furniture).

"We are concerned about these lower levels of exposure as well, since they are also linked to health impacts—even at just very low levels in your drinking water…"
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (13:42)

5. Sources and Routes of Exposure

• Drinking Water: PFAS contaminates water supplies due to industrial runoff, firefighting foams, etc. Even at parts-per-trillion, health effects occur.
• Food & Food Packaging: PFAS are found in freshwater fish (worst in lakes/rivers near pollution sites), and in fast-food/takeout containers. Home-cooked meals and marine fish tend to have lower PFAS.
• Consumer Products: Cookware, kitchen utensils, clothing (especially labeled stain-resistant or wrinkle-free), and personal care items.
• Household Dust: Especially concerning for children, who ingest more via hand-to-mouth activity.
• Clothes & Feminine Hygiene: Performance/athletic fabrics may be treated with PFAS; check for "stain-resistant" or "wrinkle-free." Some sanitary pads/tampons contain PFAS, though not all brands.

"When you take a step back... you don't really need to have all of these items in your home."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (07:53)

6. Practical Advice: Reducing PFAS Exposure

Water Filtration

• Check Your Tap: Use EWG's Tap Water Database to see if PFAS is detected in your area's supply.
• Filter Types:
  • Carbon filters (multi-stage) and reverse osmosis are most effective (Brita helps somewhat but isn't designed for PFAS).
  • Reverse osmosis is best but pricier.

"A carbon filter is effective or a reverse osmosis filter is effective."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (17:46)

Kitchen & Food

• Cookware: Avoid Teflon/non-stick pans; use cast iron, stainless steel, or glass.
• Utensils: Swap plastic for wood or metal; black plastic utensils may be made from recycled electronics plastics and contain added chemicals.

"Try to phase out that plastic in your kitchen as much as possible."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (19:49)

• Food Choices:
  • Eat more home-cooked meals, avoid processed/packaged foods and takeout.
  • Prefer marine or grocery-store fish over freshwater caught.

"One of the behaviors... linked to lower levels of PFAS is those that cook more meals at home."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (34:24)

Home & Routine

• Clothing: Avoid clothing labeled "stain resistant" or "wrinkle free." Choose natural fibers like cotton.
• Feminine Hygiene: Research and choose brands that test PFAS-free (organic just refers to the cotton, not the full product).
• Candles: For safety, use beeswax candles with cotton wicks, avoid synthetic blends with metal-core wicks.

"If you can avoid those terms right off the bat... that's key also."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (43:16)

Hygiene & Cleaning

• Handwashing: Reduces ingestion of chemicals via dust/contaminated surfaces—especially important for children.
• Vacuuming: Use a HEPA filter vacuum to reduce indoor dust and associated chemical exposure.

"Washing your hands before you eat can greatly reduce chemical exposures in your body."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (40:31)

7. Are PFAS In Us Forever?

• Bioaccumulation: PFAS can remain in the body for months to years, depending on the type.
• Gradual Decline Possible: Levels drop if exposure stops (e.g., filtered water, banning certain uses).
• Testing: Home kits exist to test PFAS blood levels, but interpretation is more meaningful at the population level.

"We know that over time, the levels do go down... interventions work."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (37:38)

8. Don’t Panic: Adopt a Harm Reduction Mindset

• You can't eliminate PFAS entirely, but awareness and a series of small changes can meaningfully reduce exposure over time.
• Focus on big, easy wins (water filtration, handwashing, avoiding certain products) rather than perfection.

"You can't shop your way out of every exposure, but in a lot of cases you can make better choices."
— Dr. Tasha Stoiber (28:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Corporate Secrecy:
  "They knew that they were causing harm... linked to cancer... but they kept this information from the public for years and years."
  — Dr. Tasha Stoiber (06:26)

• Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone:
  "I'm just gonna walk into the ocean now and never come back. But you can't, because there's forever chemicals in the ocean everywhere."
  — Raj Panjabi Johnson (35:40)

• Tiny Steps Matter:
  "Washing your hands before you eat can greatly reduce chemical exposures... Easy things like that do make a difference."
  — Dr. Tasha Stoiber (40:31)

• On Fear vs. Empowerment:
  "Tasha wasn't scaremongery… she gave us really practical ways that we can start doing things better. Literally, the minute we get off camera."
  — Noah Michelson (48:54)

• On Household Tips:
  "When in doubt, pull your wood out."
  — Raj Panjabi Johnson, about using wooden utensils (24:23)

Important Timestamps

• Introduction and proposal tangent (02:08–03:15)
• Defining PFAS/forever chemicals (04:40–06:09)
• History and secrecy around PFAS (06:26–07:53)
• How widespread are PFAS? (07:53–09:13)
• Documented health effects and how we know (09:34–12:53)
• Exposure pathways: water, food, dust (13:42–17:33)
• Filtering water and PFAS (17:46–19:12)
• Plastic utensils in the kitchen (19:36–22:21)
• Clothes, hygiene products, and marketing language (24:37–31:38)
• PFAS in seafood and food packaging (31:45–35:40)
• Testing your own exposure (36:16–39:51)
• Practical tips and harm reduction summary (40:31–45:34)
• "Better in Five" key takeaways (47:51–48:27)
• Closing thoughts on fear, empowerment, and practical change (48:53–49:29)

"Better in Five" – Top Takeaways (47:51)

1. Forever chemicals are convenient, but deeply harmful.
2. Check your water supply; use a filter.
3. Look for ‘stain resistant’ and ‘wrinkle resistant’ warning signs in clothing and textiles.
4. Wash your hands and vacuum to reduce home exposure.
5. Research and become aware: knowledge is the first step.

Tone and Takeaways

This episode is informative yet conversational, balancing scientific insight with humor, relatability, and encouragement. Dr. Stoiber’s guidance is focused on practical, evidence-based steps rather than alarmism. The hosts use levity to disarm anxiety, emphasize that small changes matter, and remind listeners that perfection isn’t possible—but harm reduction is both realistic and empowering.

Bottom Line

Don’t panic about forever chemicals, but don’t ignore them either. With a little research, targeted consumer choices, and routine hygiene/cleaning, you can substantially reduce your risk. Awareness—not fear—is your most powerful tool.