Forever chemical comic series

The Lead and Toxics Program at Public Health – Seattle & King County has created new comic strip teaching tool for families. This week the department released a commissioned comic about a group of chemicals known as “Forever Chemicals” or PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.). With artwork by Amy Camber, the series simplifies the story on PFAS and aims to help families understand the danger of the toxic chemical. The strip is easy to understand

PFAS are used in a wide variety of every-day products and can lead to serious health issues, department officials say. Check out the new comic:

Part I

Mother holding toddler. Text: What are PFAS and why are harmful?

Household items that have PFAS chemicals. Text: PFAS are a group of chemicals used to prevent grease, stains, and water from sticking. They are used in many products, including: Cookware, Waterproof clothing, cosmetics, food packaging , toys, many plastics, stain-resistant furniture, carpets and textiles.

Dr. Shirlee Tan, toxicologist, holding a PFAS research update report. Dr. Tan: PFAS also don’t break down, so they are also known as “forever chemicals.” They are almost impossible to destroy.

A person’s torso with images of a uterus and kidneys. Text: There are so many PFAS chemicals that we don’t know all their effects on people. But the data we have shows they are very harmful. PFAS are linked to: Infertility; Prostate, kidney and testicular cancer; Increases to cholesterol and obesity.

A father holding a toddler who has a toy set of keys in its mouth. Text: When PFAS get inside kids, it can lead to low birth weight, earlier puberty, or changes to behavior. It can also make vaccines less effective.

The father taking the toy keys out of his toddler’s mouth in front of a background of household items. The father: They are in so many things. I feel overwhelmed about how to protect my family.

Dr. Tan talking to the father holding the toddler. Text: But it’s not hopeless. Dr. Tan: We can reduce our exposure even if we can’t escape PFAS. That gives our bodies a chance to cycle them out. And that will make a difference to our health.

Part II

Mother holding toddler. She asks: How can we reduce exposure to PFAS?

A parent has both hands on head and looks worried. Behind is a background of household objects. Text: PFAS chemicals are "forever chemicals" that can be harmful to health. They're in a lot of common products. But there are ways we can reduce our exposure to them.

A woman holding a non-stick pan says, "It’s hard to tell what has PFAS in it." Dr. Shirlee Tan, Toxicologist replies, "It could be in anything that’s labeled as waterproof, grease-proof, stain-proof, or non-stick. "

Seek brands and retailers that have committed to removing PFAS. A shopper asks, "Do you have raincoats without PFAS?" A retail worker replies, "Yes, we have ones that use a wax coating instead."

A man spoons food out of a takeout container into a bowl. A microwave is in the background. Text: AT HOME, reduce your exposure to PFAS: Vacuum often to reduce dust contaminated with PFAS from household items. Don’t reheat food in plastic containers.

Two women shopping at a thrift shop. They stand in front of a shelf of pots and pans marked “Thift, 50% off.” One holds a cast iron pan. They discuss how it isn't cheap to replace pans, so they're doing it one at a time.

Nilu Pedram of the Afghan Health Initiative points to an traditional Afghan sofa. She says, "In our community, many people used fabric protectors on upholstery. Then we found out they have PFAS. Now, we use them less, even though we have to replace the fabric more often. The health effects from PFAS would cost us more in the long run."

Noe, a community fisher, puts a fish in a plastic bag as he says, "I sent fish like this one in for testing. King County will let people know which fish are best to catch and eat in different areas." Text: IN THE COMMUNITY, public agencies are monitoring for PFAS in drinking water, fish, and the environment. Local fishers helped identify where fish may be contaminated by PFAS.

A father and child ask the saleswoman at a furniture store, "Do you sell any furniture without PFAS?" Dr. Tan explains: Lowering our exposure is a key step to protect our health. And we can also request products and policies that limit PFAS in items. .

Part III

Mother holding toddler. Text: What can we do to limit PFAS?

A woman speaks at a podium. A screen behind her says, “Workshop on Children’s Health. Shirlee Tan, PhD, toxicologist.” Dr. Tan says: PFAS chemicals don’t break down and they’re nearly impossible to destroy. That’s why big institutions need to prevent the continued and unnecessary use of PFAS in the first place.

Household items: mascara, takeout containers, spray bottles. Text: In response to pressure from the public and public health groups, Washington state is banning PFAS in certain products. Products like these will no longer have PFAS: waterproof mascara, paper takeout containers, carpet and stain resistant sprays.

Mom reading a label on a bottle. She pushes a shopping cart with a preschooler sitting in it. Text: If you buy from local stores instead of online, what you buy is more likely to comply with PFAS bans.

A mom with a young child asks a food worker at a fast food restaurant: "Does your packaging have PFAS in it?" Worker: "No, we found takeout containers that are PFAS free." Text: People have contacted retailers, manufacturers, and elected officials to ask for PFAS-free products. Some businesses have chosen to stop using PFAS on their own.

A mom holding a young child stirs food in a cast iron pan . Text: They may be “forever chemicals”, but we don’t have to live with them forever.

What you can do to protect against PFAS

The county also offers tips on how to avoid PFAS, including:

Avoiding products with PFAS. PFAS are often in products labeled waterproof, grease-proof, stain-proof, or non-stick.
Choosing products that clearly state that they are “fluorine-free” or “PFC or PFAS-free.”
Seeking out brands and stores that have committed to remove PFAS.
Buying from local stores, instead of online, when possible – then, what you buy will have to comply with PFAS bans in Washington State.
Reading through the EPA’s guide for consumers interested in buying environmentally-friendly products.
Looking for products with the “Safer Choice” label – all Safer Choice products are PFAS-free.
Learning more about how to avoid PFAS and other toxic chemicals by visiting the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Toxic chemicals in your home webpage.
If you fish, checking the Department of Health’s Fish Consumption Advisories website. This will tell you if the fish in areas you like to go contain PFAS.

To see the full comic series and learn more about the actions you can take to keep your family and community safe, follow the health department’s blog Public Health Insider.

Host a holiday donation drive to help local kids in foster care

Families of Color post-election check-in

The Screentime Consultant: AI in the classroom