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TFA Pollution: Long-Lived Chemical Under Threat of Ban in Europe
Last reviewed: 03.08.2025
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TFA, a ubiquitous and nearly indestructible industrial byproduct, accumulates in the environment, water bodies, food and even the human body. European regulators are debating banning it despite disagreement among scientists.
Every time it rains or snows, a product of human activity, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), falls from the sky. This molecule has already been found in rivers, lakes, drinking water, beer, grains, animal livers, and even human blood and urine. And TFA levels in the environment continue to rise.
Increase in concentration
Over the past 40 years, TFA levels have increased 5-10-fold in tree leaves in Germany, in Arctic glaciers, and in Danish groundwater. Because of the strong bonds between carbon and fluorine, TFA does not break down naturally and is part of a class of so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS).
Safety Controversy
While some PFAS have already been found toxic and banned, the health effects of TFA on humans are still unclear. Animal studies indicate potential toxicity at high doses, including adverse effects on fetal development in rats and rabbits. However, the levels that caused these effects are hundreds of thousands of times higher than those found in drinking water.
However, in June 2024, two German agencies submitted a request to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to classify TFA as toxic for reproduction and as a very persistent and mobile pollutant. Discussions on this proposal continue until 25 July 2025.
Controversy in the scientific community
Some scientists, including the US EPA, believe that TFA should not be equated with other PFAS because it does not accumulate in the body, is easily excreted in urine, and acts more like a salt. However, others warn that with constant intake from food and water, its concentrations in humans can increase. Moreover, experiments on mice show unexpected biological effects, including an impact on cholesterol levels.
Environmental impacts
TFA is readily soluble in water, absorbed by plants, but does not evaporate or escape, accumulating in the soil. It has been shown to slow down leaf decomposition and reduce soil pH. This may impact nutrient recovery in forest ecosystems.
What's next?
Some countries are already taking action. Germany and the Netherlands have introduced maximum levels of TFA in drinking water, and Denmark has banned certain TFA-forming pesticides. As part of its review of PFAS regulations, ECHA may include TFA among the substances to be banned outright, which would deal a blow to refrigerants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.
We need answers
The researchers call for more toxicology studies, particularly on chronic low-dose exposure to TFA, and careful consideration of all sources of its release into the environment.
Time is not on our side
As analytical chemist F. Freeling points out, even if some TFA is naturally occurring, the sharp rise in its levels in recent decades is clearly due to human activity. And since there are no natural mechanisms for breaking down TFA, its concentration will only increase. “Time is not on our side,” he warns.