‘Forever Chemicals’ Are Everywhere. What Are They Doing to Us?

How they're impacting our health — and what to do about them.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story August 18, 2023 Photograph by Grant Cornett for The New York Times. Prop stylist: Noemi Bonazzi. In this week's cover story, what are "forever chemicals" and what are they doing to us? Plus, inside the racism scandal that rocked an affluent town's high school and checking in with the dancehall star Sean Paul. FEATURES Grant Cornett for The New York Times 'Forever Chemicals' Are Everywhere. What Are They Doing to Us? PFAS lurk in so much of what we eat, drink and use. Scientists are only beginning to understand how they're impacting our health — and what to do about them. By Kim Tingley Illustrations by Pola Maneli The Instagram Account That Shattered a California High School It had barely a dozen followers, but the discovery of its racist posts turned a Bay Area community against itself — and changed students' lives forever. By Dashka Slater Naila Ruechel for The New York Times Sean Paul Is Still Busy For more than 20 years he's taught generations to let loose on the dance floor. He's not stopping anytime soon. By Iva Dixit Photo illustration by Bráulio Amado TALK The 'World's Happiest Man' Shares His Three Rules for Life A searching, playful, provocative discussion with the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard. By David Marchese COLUMNS Illustration by Tomi Um THE ETHICIST I've Hidden My Trust Fund for 15 Years. Do I Finally Tell My Spouse? The magazine's Ethicist columnist on telling the truth about a big secret. By Kwame Anthony Appiah Illustration by Tomi Um THE ETHICIST Can People Claim Spots on the Beach With Empty Chairs? The magazine's Ethicist columnist on sharing public spaces. By Kwame Anthony Appiah Chris Simpson for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Sophia Pappas. EAT Every Peach Shines in This Tart Peaches are at the height of summer perfection right now. But even the most mundane stone fruit manages to thrill when wrapped in flaky pastry. By Yotam Ottolenghi Photo illustration by Ina Jang DIAGNOSIS The Pain in Her Hip Was Spreading Down Her Leg. What Could It Be? At first, it seemed like an exercise injury. But it wouldn't go away. By Lisa Sanders, M.D. Illustration by Caroline Péron LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION The Secret to Unshakable Confidence Face your fears and take the plunge. You'll feel freshly confident after you do. By Haley Howle Photo illustration by Anthony Gerace SCREENLAND What Is 'Welcome to Wrexham' Doing to Soccer? Hollywood has turned a perfectly good fourth-tier Welsh team into a TV show instead. That can't be great. By Amos Barshad Illustration by Louise Zergaeng Pomeroy Judge John Hodgman on Texting From the Bathroom A married couple confronts a strong taboo. By John Hodgman Illustration by R. O. Blechman POEM SELECTED BY ANNE BOYER Poem: From 'Letters to Walt Whitman' Ronald Johnson's work has long been a secret beauty, treasured by readers but difficult to find. By Ronald Johnson and Anne Boyer Stay in touch: Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. For narrated versions of our articles and more audio journalism, download New York Times Audio, a new iOS app available for news subscribers. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving The New York Times Magazine, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018