Time for Canada to protect Canadians from ‘forever chemicals,’ toxics experts say

OTTAWA — Environmental experts on toxic chemicals say it’s well past time for Ottawa to protect Canadians from a whole class of substances known as “forever chemicals.”

That is the term used to describe more than 10,000 different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances which are used in hundreds of products from waterproof cosmetics to carpeting and non-stick cookware.

They are called forever chemicals because instead of breaking down, they build up in the environment and in human bodies, where they have been linked to a multitude of problems including hormone disruptions and cancers.

Health Canada has been looking at setting new limits on the presence of some forever chemicals in drinking water.