‘Forever chemicals’ and public policy
Those following the DOE’s monitoring of Rocky Flats know that PFAS (often referred to as `forever chemicals’, present in fire-fighting foams, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant products) have been prominent in reports for the last couple of years.
The science about PFAS resembles that for low-dose radiation–things are complicated for low environmental levels. As noted by Dr. Edward Calabrese recently here
By shifting the regulatory focus away from ambient tracking and toward cumulative, long-term tissue burden, it is possible to protect public health where it matters most without bankrupting the American supply chain. Persistence does not automatically equal peril. The fact that a chemical is a ‘forever chemical’ does not mean it is a ‘forever toxin’ at every single dose. This brief summary is intended to provide an empirical roadmap for restoring objectivity, economic balance, and scientific rigor to Washington. It needs to be used to protect American innovation, safeguard our industries, and demand a regulatory framework built on facts, not fear.