PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals used in industries for their water-resistant properties. PFAS leave a permanent mark on the environment due to their practically indestructible and persistent nature, which is why they are sometimes referred to as forever chemicals.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to an extensive list of health issues, including higher risks of cancer, reproductive and developmental complications, and liver and thyroid defects. Due to inconsistencies in federal regulation and the little transparency required of corporations, consumers are kept in the dark, unaware of the chemicals hidden in purchases.

Unfortunately, these chemicals are hard to escape. They are found everywhere — in pizza boxes, cleaning products, clothing, shampoos, pots and pans, paint, water bottles and even dental floss. 

Avoiding PFAS-crammed commodities becomes especially tricky when the holidays roll around, and gift-getting is in full swing. When holiday shopping for loved ones this year, here are a few products to steer clear of.

One of the most prevalent sightings of PFAS are in waterproof products. Merchandise like umbrellas, coats, snow gear and shoes use a layer of forever chemicals to make the product water resistant. This barrier disintegrates over time. These particles can enter both the environment and the human body, either through absorption via the skin or by inhalation and ingestion. Look to products labeled “PFAS-free” or “PFC-free” for less harmful alternatives.

Nonstick products are next on the no-list when gift-getting. The coating that keeps your vegetables from sticking to a pan is essentially a blanket of forever chemicals that seep into food when met with high temperatures or scraped by a spatula. Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron or glass kitchenware when buying for your foodie friends.

Products that contain fragrances, like cosmetics and perfumes, are also products to look out for. According to the International Fragrance Association, the fragrance industry uses over 3,500 stock chemical ingredients. These “trade secret formulas” are a concoction of toxins concealed from consumers under labels like “musky,” “fruity” and “floral.” Among this list, many have been flagged as potential or known “chemicals of concern.” This includes carcinogens: hazardous substances that cause cancer, and endocrine disrupters. Because of the undisclosed nature of the fragrance industry and lack of government regulations, it is hard to discern just how many of these aromatic chemicals contain PFAS. When buying personal care products, it is best to ditch the aromas and go fragrance-free.

It may seem obvious, but plastic products are also ones to avoid. This is the trickiest forever chemical category to steer clear from because it is found in virtually everything on the market: toys, electronics, board games, home decor and so much more. It is nearly impossible to fully avoid plastics, so instead, focus on limiting just how much you consume, and turn to alternatives when possible, like wood toys and bamboo toothbrushes for stocking stuffers.

While it is important for our own health to avoid products with PFAS, it is imperative to consider why we must take precautions to begin with. Responsibility should not be falling on the shoulders of consumers. Simply changing the way that we shop fails to grasp the root of the issue: that companies are not being held responsible for the chemicals they use in production.

What is worse is that these same companies that get off unreprimanded use greenwashing tactics to lure customers into retail traps. They use deceptive marketing schemes to advertise themselves as more environmentally friendly so sustainably conscious consumers feel more drawn to purchase their products. When making a list this year, check it once (and even twice) to ensure that the gifts you give are not sustainably fraudulent. Look for overused buzzwords like “eco-friendly” or “all-natural” and exaggerated green imagery on packaging like trees, leaves or waterfalls.

As individuals, we should try to be as environmentally mindful as we can this holiday season. But radical transformation will come from corporations taking accountability. This is possible through supporting those who advocate for stricter legislation, like the PFAS Action Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a national drinking water standard and demand manufacturers to identify toxins in their products.