Increasing levels of TFA in global waters raise concern

The presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), identified as a hazardous 'forever chemical,' is on the rise across various global environments, sparking concerns regarding its effects on human fertility and child development. TFA, found in products such as refrigerants and pesticides, has been accumulating in the environment despite its intended use as a replacement for CFCs to safeguard the ozone layer.

Growing apprehension surrounds the irreversible accumulation of TFA, with data indicating significant increases in surface waters, rainwater, and human blood. Efforts to address the impacts of TFA are trailing behind, as only a handful of countries have established regulatory limits, and the effective removal of TFA from water remains a challenging and costly endeavor.

Although trifluoroacetic acid may not yet be a household name, its environmental and health repercussions are increasingly garnering attention. Belonging to the broader group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence and resistance to natural degradation, TFA stands out for its high mobility and capacity to migrate into water systems, raising significant concerns about potential contamination of drinking water sources.