Rainwater around the world now contains detectable levels of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals.’ Found in everything from waterproof mascara to firefighting foam, PFAS now accumulates in our bodies, soils, and water systems.

In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alissa Cordner, Professor of Sociology at Whitman College and Co-Director of the PFAS Project Lab, and Dr. Kimberly Garrett, Assistant Professor and Environmental Health Researcher at the City University of New York. Together, they unpack the science, policy, and human stories behind one of the world’s most persistent environmental crises.

The conversation explores what PFAS are and why their carbon–fluorine bond makes them so resistant to breakdown, how exposure happens through drinking water, food, clothing, and cosmetics, and the health impacts linked to PFAS, including cancers, developmental issues, and immune system effects. They discuss what governments and communities are doing to regulate and reduce PFAS use and highlight promising alternatives like bioplastics and fluoride-free firefighting foams.

Alissa and Kimberly also share how interdisciplinary collaboration between chemists, social scientists, policymakers, and local communities is reshaping how we study and respond to chemical contamination. From mapping contamination sites to building databases that empower citizens, their work at the PFAS Project Lab highlights a research model that is grounded in justice, accessibility, and collective action. They leave us with a powerful reminder: turning off the PFAS tap starts with informed choices, stronger regulations, and scientists who see themselves as part of the communities they serve.

LINKS

• Dr. Alissa Cordner on LinkedIn
• Dr. Kimberly Garrett on LinkedIn
• PFAS Project Lab Website
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
• METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
• Balancing The Future Podcast Website
• Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn
• Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn

SOURCES

PFAS Explained – United States Environmental Protection Agency

New Chemicals Program Review of Alternatives for PFOA and Related Chemicals – United States Environmental Protection Agency

Engineering a Future Without PFAS: The Path to Sustainable Alternatives – The Chemical Engineer

Alternatives to PFAS are available for many applications – Food Packaging Forum

Foam's Next Phase – National Fire Protection Association

Global performance and trends of research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) between 2001 and 2018 using bibliometric analysis – PubMed

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