PFAS, the forever chemicals lurking in your kitchen, clothes and even your takeout box are sticking around for way too long. You might not see them, but they’re everywhere — and they are never leaving. From nonstick cookware to water-repellent jackets, these toxic chemicals have infiltrated our lives in ways we didn’t sign up for.

PFAS aren’t just some far-off problem — it could be in your backyard. Literally. In my town of Hopkinton, water contamination has gone from rumor to reality. Now, every time I turn on the tap, I wonder: Is this water safe? These so-called “forever chemicals” don’t just linger — they invade. Even our filtration systems might not be enough to keep them out. It’s scary to think the water we drink every day could be putting our health at risk.

Drinking water regulations alone won’t cut it. Sure, the EPA has set standards for PFAS in water, but they’re everywhere else, too! Cosmetics, food packaging, even your pizza box. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS is found in water systems across all 50 states. They’re sneaky, they’re harmful, and they need to be regulated everywhere.

The Feds are asleep at the wheel, while states scramble with patchy rules. Without clear standards, we’re in a mess of confusion. It’s not just about water anymore. It’s about all the stuff we use daily.

The cost of doing nothing is sky-high. From health care bills to environmental cleanup, ignoring PFAS will only burn a bigger hole in our pockets. The longer we wait to address the full scope of PFAS contamination, the higher the price tag becomes. It’s clear: Acting now is cheaper than dealing with the fallout later.

Time for action! Let’s extend beyond drinking water and cover food packaging, textiles and cosmetics. Ban unnecessary uses, slap on clear labels and fund research for safer alternatives.

We deserve protection from chemicals that were never meant to be in our bodies in the first place. It’s time to hold industries accountable and ensure that our future is free from these toxic chemicals.

We deserve better than a future stuck with toxic chemicals.

Let’s break free from forever chemicals — once and for all.

— Sahana Chaubal, Hopkinton

Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and must include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event or thanking sponsors or volunteers. Letters may be edited by the Independent staff for space, errors or clarification, and the Independent offers no guarantee that every letter will be published. For a schedule of deadlines for letters and other submissions for the print edition, click here.