“Forever chemicals”— perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS – are widely used, long-lasting compounds that take a very long time to decompose. They are in products that resist water, stains and heat, and have been improving familiar consumer goods since the 1940s.

Jim Abbatoy could not figure out what was going on. He and his wife Barb were in Florida in May 2022, a normal vacation for them, when he started feeling very sick overnight. In the morning, he felt fine.

From a very young age, LaToyia Malcolm, MS, BSN, BA, RN, knew she wanted to work in something medicine- or science-related, but it took a while for her to become a nurse.