Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

Dec. 9, 2021, 11:47 p.m.

What are PFAS, and what makes these 'forever chemicals' dangerous?

Sign up for NewsHour Classroom's ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning. To receive NewsHour's monthly education newsletter click here. Write us with any questions, concerns or lesson ideas at education@newshour.org.

Overview

  • Who met through a video call to discuss mounting tensions on the Russia/Ukraine border as mentioned in this piece?
  • What were some of the responses President Biden warned of if Russia invades Ukraine?
  • How many troops does Russia have on the border with Ukraine, according to this piece?
  • Where do Russian backed separatists already control part of Ukraine?
  • Why does Putin argue a troop build-up is necessary, according to this piece?

Objectives

  • If you were writing public policy (legislation) on repairing or building the relationship between police officers and community members in order to prevent such a horrific tragedy as the killing of Daunte Wright, what is one policy you'd like to see implemented?
Media literacy : There are several stories discussed in NewsHour's news summaries, however, the summary paragraph only highlights a few. How do you think NewsHour Classroom decides on which stories to highlight and ask questions about?

Summary

The new infrastructure law contains $10 billion for cleaning up drinking water that has been contaminated by a specific group of man-made chemicals. But problems with "forever chemicals" go back decades, and are located in many places around the U.S. Miles O'Brien looks at the impact they've had in one community in New Hampshire, and how the U.S. Air Force is now dealing with its past use of them.

Five Facts

  • What is "aqueous film forming foam" and what has it been used for?
  • How are the perfluorinated chemicals(PFAS) in AFFFs (aqueous film forming foam) dangerous for the environment?
  • Why are these chemicals considered "forever chemicals"?
  • Who is likely to have exposure to PFAS?
  • What are some of the ways authorities and others are trying to clean up PFAS?

Focus Questions

How can you find out about how PFAS might be affecting your own community? If PFAS are present in the drinking water, what do you think can be done about it? (Consider actions that you or other residents can take, not just officials.)

Media literacy : Did this piece clearly explain the science behind the dangers of PFAS? What else do you think you should know to better understand the impact of these chemicals?

For More

Links

TRANSCRIPT

Recent Daily News Lessons

Red, White & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade in Philadelphia

Daily News Lesson

America at a Crossroads: A look at America's founding from the room where independence was declared

Judy Woodruff visits Independence Hall to commemorate America's 250th anniversary with historians Lindsay Chervinsky and Ron Chernow.

Screenshot 2026-07-21 at 10.25.25 AM

Daily News Lesson

America at a Crossroads: What political satire can reveal about the strength of a democracy

Political satire can reveal a hidden strength of the democracy of a country

surveillance

Daily News Lesson

Police say Flock cameras help solve crimes, but critics call them an invasion of privacy

Dozens of cities have cancelled their contracts with Flock after significant backlash followed a series of law enforcement errors

wildfiress-e1784233815803

Daily News Lesson

The health risks of wildfire smoke across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic

Learn about the dangerous wildfire smoke blanketing wide regions of the U.S.

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward