PFAS “forever chemicals” found in conventionally and organically farmed kale samples nationwide
Introduction
Human-made “forever chemicals,” more correctly known as poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS), have recently been found to permeate almost all parts of our environment, including our drinking water and food supply.
They are increasingly recognized as a significant threat both to planetary and human health.
PFAS are a class of over 12,000 discrete chemicals used in an incredibly wide range
of consumer and industrial applications with histories of use in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries going back to the 1940s. They are now commonly used in some varieties of non-stick cookware, plastic packaging, cosmetics, stain-resistant carpeting, waterproof clothing, fire-fighting foams, lubricants, and were recently found in dental flosses and tampons. The property that make them so popular is their ability to resist both grease and water.