The Unlikely Buddha

The chemicals referred to as "forever chemicals" are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products since the 1940s. PFAS are known for their ability to repel water, oil, and dirt, which makes them useful in a variety of applications. The first PFAS were created in the 1930s by the DuPont Corporation. DuPont developed Teflon, a nonstick coating for cookware, in 1946. Teflon is a PFAS called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  Other common PFAS include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS have been produced for over 80 years by a variety of companies, including DuPont, 3M, Chemours, and Daikin. They are used in a wide range of products, including: Nonstick cookware Waterproof clothing and gear Food packaging Carpets Furniture Personal care products Firefighting foam Industrial coatings PFAS have been found to be dangerous to human health and the environ...

Psyche is a large M-type asteroid, with an estimated diameter of 226 kilometers (140 miles). This is slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island, and about half the size of the state of West Virginia. In comparison, the Earth's metal core has a radius of about 3,485 kilometers (2,165 miles), and a diameter of about 6,970 kilometers (4,330 miles). This means that Psyche is about 1/30th the size of the Earth's metal core. In most M-type asteroids, the metal is concentrated at the center of the asteroid. This is because metal is denser than rock, so it sinks to the center of the asteroid as it forms. However, there are a few possible explanations for why Psyche may be different: Psyche may be the exposed core of a protoplanet. A protoplanet is a small, rocky body that is thought to be the precursor to a planet.  If Psyche is the exposed core of a protoplanet, it may have lost its rocky mantle due to a giant collision. Psyche may have formed from the debris of a giant collision....