BBC Inside Science Where do forever chemicals come from?
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Feb 5, 2026 
Pat Sharples, GB Snowsports head coach, on how ski-wax chemistry and snow conditions shape Olympic racing. Roland Pease, science journalist, on puzzling JWST discoveries of early red objects. Gareth Mitchell, tech journalist, on tiny medical robots and traffic-tech innovations. Lucy Hart, Lancaster researcher, on ice-core evidence linking rising TFA and PFAS sources from refrigerant replacements.
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Why PFAS Are So Persistent
- PFAS share a carbon–fluorine bond that makes them extremely durable and useful for waterproofing and heat resistance.
- That same strong bond makes PFAS persist in the environment, drinking water and bodies for long periods.
Multiple Pathways Into The Environment
- PFAS enter the environment from industry, wastewater treatment plants and old landfills that can leach chemicals into the ground.
- Their presence in many products and supply chains makes tracking and managing sources complex.
What The UK PFAS Plan Targets
- The UK's PFAS plan maps sources, movement, exposure and mitigation options across supply chains and environments.
- It focuses on increased testing and finding alternatives to phase out problematic PFAS.