The Forever Chemicals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

News, tips, and trends on the toxins we can and can't avoid.

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The Forever Chemicals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of  

The endless headlines about PFAS, metals, microplastics, and other toxic chemicals in, well, everything have gone from shocking to straight-up infuriating. Adding to our frustration, no one seems to be talking about the forever chemicals known as POPs or persistent organic pollutants. 

The original 12 POPs, known as the “dirty dozen,” included DDT, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Today, the list has expanded to more than 30 chemicals, with lindane and short-chain chlorinated paraffins joining the group. 

They can be found almost anywhere, form naturally or are human-made, and are in water, soil, food, clothing, and, sadly, us. “It’s estimated that every person alive in the world has some form of POP in their body,” says Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, a public health professor at New Mexico State University.

This doesn't sound good. 

It’s not. More than 150 countries have worked together in a convention (implemented in 2004) to reduce or eliminate them — in part because they're so widespread that international cooperation and action were needed.

While a recent UN report found the original 12 declined, three PFAS chemicals among the newer POPs were detected at high levels. Stopping the spread of POPs is tough because they’re transported through the food chain, wind, and water. Plus, they take decades to break down, according to Ludovic Bernaudat, head of the UN Environment Programme’s Knowledge and Risk Unit. 

POPs have been linked to cancer, immune and reproductive system issues, allergies, and more. Even repeated exposure at low levels can have an impact, according to the UN. These chemicals were used because they were the best we had at the time — but now we need agreement on safer options and how to reduce the production and use of materials that contain them, says Khubchandani.

Your move

There’s not much any individual can do to eliminate POPs. But there are ways to lessen your exposure, according to Bernaudat and Khubchandani:

• Stay informed. Learn about the current POPs (which may be updated every few years) and how/if they’re used. 

• Be mindful of what you’re buying: 

  • Go with organic when you can since the label is more regulated (unlike the term “natural”). 

  • Opt for sustainable alternatives for clothing, food, and household products. 

  • Buy recycled products when available — it  keeps more chemicals from being put into circulation. 

• Make your voice heard. Consider reaching out to federal, state, and local officials to advocate for change, like more transparency of ingredients. “The public has the strength to push policymakers to [make] decisions so that they themselves — the public — are better informed,” says Bernaudat.

Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:

How can I deal with pests in my garden without using chemicals?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Amara Dunn-Silver

Biocontrol specialist for Cornell’s New York State Integrated Pest Management Program

🔎 Identify your pests and find out if they’re a threat to your garden, family, or home, says Dunn-Silver. Your local Cooperative Extension office can help.

🪴 Diversify your plants. Growing a mix of plants, “including plenty of flowers that feed and support beneficial insects (pollinators and natural enemies of pests),” can be a natural way to control pests.

⚠️ Skip homemade pesticides. Find out why.

We’re sharing our favorite products to help you live a more toxin-free life.

If you feel like you can’t escape toxins…

You’re right, technically. But we’ve got some ideas to reduce your exposure…

• Swap your PFAS-coated activewear for leggings with fewer toxins (with the certifications to back it up).

• Ditch conventional cleaning products for ones that are kinder to your health and the earth’s.

• Purify your air with this HQ'r-recommended device. It’s quiet, helps remove odors, bacteria, and allergens, and won’t ruin your home’s aesthetic.

"Blue foods"

Foods — like salmon, prawns, water chestnuts, and nori — sourced from freshwater and marine environments. They produce a smaller carbon footprint and are nutrient-rich. Bass-ically a win-win.