What if some of the most persistent pollutants on Earth are already inside us?

In this episode of Paul Talks Science, we explore the growing global concern around PFAS, widely known as forever chemicals—a group of man-made substances used in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foams. These chemicals are called “forever” because they don’t easily break down in the environment or in the human body. Over time, they accumulate in water, soil, wildlife—and increasingly, in people.

As policymakers debate how to regulate these substances, lawmakers including Betty McCollum and Dick Durbin have renewed efforts to phase out many non-essential uses of PFAS and hold polluters accountable. But regulation alone may not solve the problem.

On a bright, sunny day in Massachusetts, I visited the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), where scientists are working on a crucial question: how do we replace PFAS in the products we rely on every day?

During my visit, I spoke with TURI scientists Greg and Gabriel about why PFAS became so widespread, the challenges of cleaning them up once they enter the environment, and why developing safer alternatives could be one of the fastest and most effective solutions.

In this conversation, we unpack:

What forever chemicals are and why they’re so difficult to remove
How PFAS end up in everyday products and in our bodies
The growing political and regulatory pressure to phase them out
Why some scientists believe replacement—not destruction—may be the smarter path forward

At a time when global headlines are dominated by geopolitical tensions and conflict, the long-term challenge of chemical pollution can easily fade from view. But the decisions we make about PFAS today could shape environmental and public health for decades to come.

🎧 Listen in as we explore the science, policy, and innovation behind the push to replace forever chemicals.