A new study has discovered TFA, a harmful PFAS “forever chemical,” in mineral water across several European countries. The contamination is believed to come from the extensive use of pesticides containing TFA, raising serious concerns about water quality and public health.
Pesticides Blamed for TFA in Mineral Water
Mineral water, which is expected to be pure and free of pollutants, has tested positive for TFA (trifluoroacetic acid). In a study by Pesticide Action Network Europe, 10 out of 19 mineral water samples contained TFA, with some concentrations up to 32 times higher than the threshold requiring regulatory action in the European Union.
“This is deeply concerning because we are unknowingly consuming TFA,” said Angeliki Lysimachou, a co-author of the study. She clarified that mineral water producers are not to blame, as the contamination originates from pesticides containing TFA or chemicals that convert into it.
TFA: A Persistent and Difficult-to-Remove Chemical
TFA is a persistent chemical that moves easily through the environment and resists standard water filtration methods. It is commonly used as a refrigerant to replace older greenhouse gases like CFCs. Between 2019 and 2022, around 60% of all PFAS produced were fluorinated gases that degrade into TFA.
TFA contamination has been documented beyond Europe. In Belgium, 93% of over 600 water samples contained TFA, especially in agricultural regions. Swiss authorities found the chemical in groundwater nationwide, and all rainwater samples tested in Michigan, USA, also showed contamination.
Urgent Calls for Regulation and Bans
While the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently excluded TFA from its PFAS classification, reducing regulatory scrutiny, critics argue that economic pressure from chemical manufacturers influenced this decision.
In contrast, the European Commission is pushing for a ban on two widely used pesticides containing TFA and may classify the chemical as a reproductive toxicant.
“The priority must be to eliminate the major sources of TFA, particularly PFAS-based pesticides,” concludes the report by Pesticide Action Network Europe. Immediate action is essential to protect drinking water, public health, and the environment from this long-lasting pollutant.
