Non-governmental organizations across the EU have detected a particular PFAS, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), in rivers and groundwater at concentrations many hundreds of times higher than the levels of PFASs commonly tested.
TFA was present in all 23 surface water samples and six groundwater samples in 10 EU countries at concentrations ranging from 370 ng/L to 3300 ng/L.
TFA is a PFAS substance mainly produced by the decomposition of PFAS pesticides and fluorinated gases. The NGOs suspect that the TFA they have found comes primarily from PFAS pesticides, citing a study showing that PFAS pesticides have the highest potential to release TFA into water bodies. They are calling for a ban on the use of PFAS in pesticides. Pesticides are excluded from the universal proposal to restrict PFAS, which ECHA committees are currently considering.
Germany is considering classifying TFA as a B1 reproductive toxicant. If classified, this would lead to a ban on using PFAS in pesticides.
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