A recent study analysed drinking water from 11 European countries and found widespread contamination by the forever chemical TFA.

‘Forever chemicals’ is the moniker given to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. These chemicals do not easily break down and last for generations in the environment.

Due to their grease and water-resistant properties, PFAS are used in various industrial processes and everyday products – from cookware to clothing and cosmetics.  Exposure to some PFAS has been linked to certain cancers, developmental issues, immune system disruption, and other serious health conditions.

The recent study by PAN Europe members analysed tap and bottled water samples from eleven EU countries, including Germany, Belgium, France and Sweden, for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

TFA is one of the smallest PFAS chemicals, causing it to be very mobile in the environment.  The main source of TFA is mostly from the breakdown of pesticides that contain PFAS and F-gases (a type of greenhouse gas commonly used in cooling fluids in refrigeration and air conditioning). 

The results show TFA in 94% of the tap water samples tested and 63% of the bottled water samples. Analysis was also carried out for other PFAS, but TFA was revealed to have the highest concentrations.

 TFA levels detected were within guidance limits. However, many PFAS chemicals are believed to have no safe threshold, so it is reasonable to question whether this is also true for TFA.

PAN Europe states that an immediate ban on PFAS pesticides and F-gases and establishing a safe EU limit on TFA in drinking water are needed.

CHEM Trust is calling for a ban on all PFAS chemicals, with minimal exceptions and transition times for a complete phase-out. Read more about what we have been doing to address PFAS pollution in the UK and the EU.

Read more news.