This chemical was once used as a spray-on stain repellent for textiles. The same amount of another forever chemical known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) would take 800 years to break down.

If there’s a “ground zero” for Georgia’s “forever chemical” pollution problems, it’s the state’s northwest corner, the heart of the region’s famed textile and flooring industry ...

The PFAS chemicals made by 3M and others are used to make Scotchgard products, firefighting foams and/or a host of heat-, stick- and stain-resistant cookware, carpets, clothing and household products.

PFAS are a group of chemicals prized for their water, sweat and oil-repellent properties, leading to their widespread use in consumer goods, from fitness wear to stain-resistant fabrics.