High levels of Forever Chemical TFA found in EU drinking water, urgent actions demanded

The Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) conducted an analysis of 55 samples of drinking water, tap water, and mineral water from 11 EU countries, revealing widespread contamination by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent "forever chemical" which enters the water primarily as a degradation product of PFAS pesticides and fluorinated gases. These findings have prompted calls for immediate action.    

According to the study, TFA was present in 34 out of 36 tap water samples tested. The detected TFA levels ranged from "below the detection limit" of 20 ng/L to a concerning 4 100 ng/L. While only 6% of tap water samples were free of TFA, the average concentration of TFA in drinking water, at 740 ng/L, was lower than that found in rivers and lakes in the latest report, where PAN Europe detected 1 220 ng/L.    

To determine the extent of TFA contamination, the study included 17 mineral water samples and 2 spring water samples. Alarmingly, 12 out of the 19 samples were found to be contaminated with TFA, with concentrations ranging from "below detection limit" to 3 200 ng/L, averaging at 278 ng/L.    

Furthermore, analysis of 24 other PFAS chemicals revealed that TFA accounted for over 98% of the total PFAS load across all samples tested. The dominance of TFA in the PFAS contamination raises concerns about the potential risks it poses to human health.    

Assessing the risks associated with TFA is challenging due to limited scientific knowledge and variations in risk assessment approaches. Different regulatory bodies have set varying tolerable daily intake levels for TFA. For instance, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a tolerable daily intake of 50 micrograms (μg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day in 2016, while the German Federal Environment Agency calculated a limit of 12.5 μg/kg/day in 2020. The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) proposed a significantly lower tolerable daily intake of only 0.32 μg/kg/day in 2023.    

Currently, there are no legal limits for TFA in the EU, except for a forthcoming standard limit value for "total PFAS" of 500 ng/L in drinking water, set to take effect in 2026. However, this limit does not specifically address the existing TFA contamination (with half of the tap water samples analyzed in the study exceeding the threshold when TFA is included).    

In response to these findings, NGOs are urging EU institutions to take immediate measures to protect public health. Their recommendations include an immediate ban on PFAS pesticides and fluorinated gases, the rapid implementation of general PFAS restrictions according to REACH regulations, and the establishment of a TFA-safe drinking water limit at the EU level. They also call for the definition of quality standards for TFA in waters regulated by the Water Framework Directive and the application of the "polluter pays" principle when purifying water contaminated by chemicals. Additionally, they suggest supporting farmers in replacing the use of PFAS pesticides with other forms of crop protection.    

In light of the increasing TFA inputs and the already burdensome presence of other PFAS chemicals, prompt action is crucial to prevent further contamination and safeguard public health.          

Source:  

PAN Europe