Alert: Forever Chemicals (PFAS) are showing up in your food, clothes and home

Imagine the “Forever Chemicals” Lurking in Your Kitchen Right Now

Ever sizzled an egg in a nonstick pan and wondered what’s actually making it nonstick? Or tossed some popcorn in the microwave, not thinking twice about the bag? Here’s the wild part: Those everyday moments could be putting you in direct contact with PFAS  the infamous “forever chemicals” building up not just in your kitchen, but also in your body. In fact, a whopping 99% of Americans now have detectable PFAS in their blood^[2]. Yikes.

So what does this mean for real people who just want to eat dinner without a side of secret toxins? Let’s pull the curtain back on where these chemicals hide, what the research is (and isn’t) telling us, and, maybe most important, how you can actually do something about it. I promise: This isn’t just another scare piece. This is the stuff you really should know.

What Are PFAS and Why Are They Everywhere in Your Kitchen?

Let’s keep it simple. PFAS stands for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, but honestly, that’s just a fancy way of saying “chemicals that repel everything.” Oil, water, heat; you name it, they slide right off^[1]. Companies have been hooked on these superpowers since WWII.

So where are they hiding right now? Pretty much anywhere you want messes to disappear:

• Nonstick pans (yep, that Teflon coating)
• Wrappers on burgers, pizza, and takeout boxes^[6]
• Stain-busting carpets and tablecloths
• Those “waterproof” hiking jackets
• A surprising number of cleaning sprays and makeup

Here’s why that matters: The chemical bonds in PFAS are strong. Like, “stick around in your body and water supply for decades” strong^[2]. That’s why they’re called forever chemicals they just... won’t... go away.

How Do PFAS Affect Your Health? Real Research and Straight Answers

If you’re thinking, “So what? How bad can this really be?” you’re not alone. Scientists have asked the exact same thing. Here’s the reality: PFAS build up in your blood, your organs, even your kids^[5]. And the health risks are no joke.

What Cancers, Diseases, and Health Issues Are Linked to PFAS?

• Cancer: Studies link higher PFAS exposure with kidney, liver, and testicular cancers^[7]. The World Health Organization’s even labeled some PFAS as carcinogenic^[1][4].
• Cholesterol: People with higher levels often have higher cholesterol, too^[5][6].
• Fertility: Problems with pregnancy, lower birth weights, even trouble getting pregnant show up in research^[3].
• Immunity: PFAS can dampen your immune response — meaning things like vaccines might not work as well^[2].
• Other hits: Links are showing up for thyroid disease (especially in women), type 2 diabetes, hormone chaos, and even earlier puberty for kids^[2]

“We are seeing PFAS everywhere; they’ve become a marker of our industrial age. The real question is: what risks are acceptable?”
— Dr. Andrea Gore, Professor of Pharmacology^[2]

“If you’ve been exposed to PFAS, it’s not all doom and gloom, but limiting further exposure makes sense.”
— Mark Bittman, food author and chef

How to Cut Down Your PFAS Exposure at Home, Starting in the Kitchen

Here comes the good news: you don’t have to just sit there and take it. There are actually some pretty straightforward ways to cut your exposure, and most of them start right in your kitchen.

Which Cookware and Habits Should You Actually Change?

• Ditch PFAS/nonstick pans for ceramics: They don’t contain forever chemicals, last forever, and (bonus) they actually look great.
• Cut down on takeout and packaged foods: PFAS sneak out of those wrappers and into your fries and pizza cheese.
• Filter your drinking water: Especially if you’re on well water, grab a filter with activated carbon or reverse osmosis tech.
• Go easy on stain-resistant fabrics: That “spill-proof” tablecloth might not be worth it.
• Check those labels: See “PFAS-free”? Grab it. Doesn’t matter if it’s pans, napkins, or lip balm.

And honestly, tiny changes add up. You don’t have to go full homesteader. Just swap out where you can.

At Asai, we make ceramic pans that are 100% free from PFAS, PTFE and other forever chemicals. We are the only cookware brand in India (and perhaps in the world) that sends it's pans with a verifiable health report that you can download. Most cookware brands ask you to trust them. We ask you to verify. No marketing fluff, no vague claims just science, transparency, and proof you can see.

Are the Stories About PFAS True or Overblown? Myths, Mistakes, and What Science Says

• Myth: Nonstick pans aren’t a big problem.
  They actually release PFAS, especially at high temps or if scratched up^[4].
• Myth: Eating organic protects you.
  PFAS can get into produce and meat via contaminated water or soil, no matter how “natural” the farm^[5].
• Mistake: Bottled water means safe water.
  A shockingly large chunk of bottled water isn’t even checked for PFAS. You’ve got to look for filters or brands that test for it.

What Happens When PFAS Hit Real Communities? Lessons and Warnings from Experts

This isn’t just a “maybe kinda, someday” problem. In Sweden’s Ronneby, entire towns dealt with a 29% jump in thyroid disease after their water got contaminated with PFAS between 1984 and 2005^[7]. And here in the U.S., some firefighters and factory workers have blood PFAS levels off the charts  all from jobs they trusted to provide for their families^[1][6].

“PFAS are the tobacco of our era; silent, ubiquitous, but dangerous once the evidence comes to light.”
— Rob Bilott, environmental attorney, and PFAS whistleblower^[2]

Here’s what’s interesting: these stories are driving big changes. Some cities have started massive cleanups, and (finally) regulators are paying attention.

The Simple Truth: What You Can Do, and Why It Matters

So here’s the deal: PFAS are showing up in your food, clothes and home. They’re backed up by decades of scientific evidence linking them to real health problems like cancer, fertility, metabolism, you name it.

But you don’t have to panic. You have power. Learn what matters (like you just did), make some swaps (hello, ceramic pans), and pay attention to what goes in and on your body and home.

You’re not just protecting yourself, but you’re helping drive the kind of change that could keep future kitchens (and kids) a whole lot safer. That’s worth a second look at those old, scratched-up pans, don’t you think?

PFAS Exposure FAQs

Q: What everyday items in my kitchen might have PFAS?
A: PFAS often hide in nonstick pans, food packaging like burger wrappers, “stain-resistant” fabrics, and even waterproof kitchen sprays—basically, anything designed to resist grease or water.

Q: How bad are PFAS for my health, really?
A: While everyone has some PFAS exposure, studies link them to higher risks for certain cancers, hormone disruptions, cholesterol issues, and even weaker immune responses—so it’s smart to limit your contact where you can.

Q: Can I actually reduce PFAS in my home, or is it pointless?
A: You can definitely cut down your exposure! Swapping out nonstick pans for ceramic, filtering your water, and choosing PFAS-free products all help make a real difference over time.

Sources:

1. PFAS ‘forever chemicals’: How worried should we be? – med.stanford.edu
2. Yale sustainability experts explain PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ – sustainability.yale.edu
3. VA Public Health – PFAS – publichealth.va.gov
4. Teflon and PFOA: Cancer Risk – cancer.org
5. EPA: Understanding Risks of PFAS – epa.gov
6. CDC/NIOSH PFAS Facts – cdc.gov
7. Thyroid disease and exposure to PFAAs in Ronneby, Sweden – pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov