The Forever Chemical Scandal | Bloomberg Investigates

PFAS chemicals are used in thousands of products aimed at making life easier. But the chemicals are now almost everywhere, including in human blood, and are being linked to severe health problems.

Correction Note: At 37:45, this video incorrectly identifies the year Minnesota's ban on PFAS in food packaging will begin. The ban takes effect in 2024.

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[DaxXadify]

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA):
- Non-stick cookware (e.g., pans, frying pans)
- Stain-resistant fabrics (e.g., carpets, upholstery)
- Food packaging (e.g., microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes)
- Firefighting foam
- Waterproof clothing (e.g., rain jackets)

2. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS):
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles (e.g., carpets, furniture)
- Carpet cleaners
- Firefighting foam
- Metal plating and surface treatment
- Photographic industries (e.g., in film-processing chemicals)

3. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA):
- Cleaning products (e.g., stain removers)
- Paints and coatings
- Electroplating
- Lubricants and metal-working fluids
- Electronics manufacturing

4. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA):
- Water- and oil-resistant paper coatings
- Coatings for food packaging
- Cleaning products
- Lubricants and metal-working fluids
- Insecticides

5. Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS):
- Stain-resistant coatings on clothing
- Upholstery and carpets
- Food packaging
- Leather products
- Firefighting foam

6. Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA):
- Water- and oil-resistant coatings for paper and cardboard
- Coatings for food contact materials
- Firefighting foam
- Automotive lubricants
- Textile and leather treatments

7. Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA):
- Stain-resistant treatments for carpets and upholstery
- Coatings for cookware and bakeware
- Lubricants for heavy machinery
- Paints and coatings
- Adhesives and sealants

8. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA):
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles (e.g., carpets, upholstery)
- Firefighting foam
- Photographic industries
- Heat transfer fluids
- Electrical insulation

9. Perfluoromethanesulfonic acid (PFMS):
- Electroplating
- Metal cleaning agents
- Capacitors and electronic components
- Photographic industries
- Aviation hydraulic fluids

10. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS):
- Firefighting foam
- Coatings for carpets and textiles
- Chrome plating
- Metal finishing
- Electronics manufacturing

11. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA):
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles
- Paper and cardboard coatings
- Mold release agents
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Photographic industries

12. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA):
- Lubricants and hydraulic fluids
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles and carpets
- Firefighting foam
- Mold release agents
- Pesticide formulations

[ateviel]

Probably the most disturbing part of this whole story is how the companies defend themselves, instead of working with the government and scientists to resolve the issue and find better ways. This is madness. OMG 😢

[philipzanoni]

As a 56 yr old man, I'm shocked that I'm just learning about PFAS here this morning, from this video playing on my phone. And it's only by chance that I even clicked on the video . My guess is many will just scroll on by. Tragically. Not knowing there are PFAS all around them. The world is reaching end times .

[KB_Joys]

What kills me is that all these companies arent held liable and responsible, because they pay off crooked judges, government officials, etc.
Thats a big part of my sadness on this planet, is to know that these type of things have been going on since the beginning of time, and yet they are protected, and the prople that protect them are as guilty as they are.
For me i will never have any peace knowing these type of things will be allowed to continue.
Its wrong on so many levels!

[eljanrimsa]

Can we agree that we don't really need grease-resistant coated pizza boxes?

[whatabouttheearth]

Their documents reveal that they knew that PFAS caused harm since the 60s and INTENTIONALLY covered it up. The companies should of been IMMEDIATELY shut down when the public found out to send a very stark message to these corporations.

[maxstrata]

No media coverage on this topic at all. Disappointing to see how the media is covering this up for the corporations.

[smkhaury]

In February 2024, the FDA announced that substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold in the US market for use as grease-proofing agents on paper food packaging. This has removed the main source of exposure to PFAS from authorized food contact uses, according to the FDA. -American Cancer Society Why has it taken so long when this has been known for many years?

[RusticSkills]

I am a landowner in AZ and I just ordered a PFAS testing kit to see if the groundwater here in Cochise County has high PFAS levels. The reason I suspect this is because we recharge our aquifers with reclaimed wastewater, but removing PFAS from wastewater is not mandatory in AZ. My concern is that I find a high concentration of PFAS in the groundwater. If that is the case, I am taking this to the next level. I have never heard of PFAS until this video, thank you for spreading awareness. We must battle Goliath!

[jefftank]

If a company knowingly withholds hazards of its products, then they should be held criminally liable for all injuries and deaths that occurred because of their products.
And those out of court settlements in which they do not have to claim liability should be classified as bribes.

[mychoice]

They need to be charged with crimes against humanity! They knew exactly what they were doing!

[leroy.jackson.]

People have been saying that for years, but nobody listened.

[lynnwood]

I have known persons whose lives were changed by 3M's attitude towards chemical dangers. One a man whose father was a production worker a a scotch guard factory who died from a rare and aggressive cancer, another whose career in the Minnesota Environmental Protection Agency was ended because he kept finding 3M dump sites. He literally would have to stop talking to control his anger when he attempted to explain the blatant disregard for environmental safety or implications of the willful non consideration of long term affects he dealt with. He was regarded as an intemperate grudge bearer who held a distorted view. Well, turns out his acerbic and caustic assessment was accurate. We all have been deliberately poisoned.

[curtisgrindahl]

I applaud Bloomberg for producing this video. I would have expected Bloomberg to protect the companies who are really the villains in this story. Those companies defended the indefensible ONLY because telling the truth would have hurt their bottom line. I'm disgusted by them all. I grew up in Minnesota and believed 3M was a company we could feel proud about. I don't feel that way any longer.

[paullarnce]

The ecologists has been warning us about this since the 60's. The problem is that nobody wants to fix the problem.

[dedetudor.]

FOUR MONTHS AGO AND NO ONE IN THE COUNTRY IS TALKING ABOUT THIS.

[tnteachertim]

They aren't doing it "WITHOUT thinking of the consequences..."

It's not ""careless".

It. Is. Deliberate.

[adrianbeckmann]

Disgusting. The CEO's and all people who had a part in it should be put in prison.

[mitchmcclean]

Imagine large corporations having the power and ability to release a product that could be harmful to humans with no accountability, even sometimes being granted immunity from prosecution by the governmen. Or when they’re found guilty or negligent they are rich enough to pay the fine and keep operating And they’ve been doing it for years. Unbelievable

[dorothybutterfield]

Lawsuits don’t mean a thing you have to make individuals accountable and these companies should be closed down