Few synthetic compounds have traveled as far, persisted as long, or triggered as much regulatory upheaval as perfluorooctanoic acid. Known almost universally by its acronym, PFOA belongs to the wider family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals.” What makes PFOA extraordinary—and deeply troubling—is the combination of its near-total resistance to environmental…
Author: Driss El-Mekki
Casablanca native who traded civil-engineering blueprints for world travel and wordcraft. From rooftop gardens in Bogotá to fintech booms in Tallinn, Driss captures stories with cinematic verve. He photographs on 35 mm film, reads Arabic calligraphy, and never misses a Champions League kickoff.