Chemical threatens Europe: 'the extent of contamination is alarming'
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a highly persistent chemical, is polluting European waters. Significant concentrations have been observed in rivers such as the Seine, Somme and Oise in France, the Mehaigne in Belgium and the Elbe in Germany.
In a report published on 27 May, associations of the European Action Network on Pesticides (PAN Europe) warn that European waters are now massively contaminated with trifluoroacetic acid. In their words, this is "the largest known contamination of water in Europe by a man-made chemical".
In total, PAN Europe analysed 23 surface water samples and six groundwater samples from 10 European Union countries. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a product of "the degradation of PFASs, nicknamed 'eternal pollutants', but also serves as a starting material for the production of some of them", France Info reports. In their report, the associations sound the alarm: "the scale of pollution is alarming and calls for decisive action", they stress.
TFAs come, among other things, from the degradation of PFAS pesticides, which are often used in the agricultural sector. Trifluoroacetic acid also comes from waste from the PFAS production industry, "widely used in, for example, non-stick coatings for frying pans, fire-fighting foams and cosmetics," France Info said. These days, NGOs are concerned about the quality of tap water. A study will soon be carried out on the subject.
(FVDV and AsD for Tagtik/Source: France Info/Illustration: Unsplash)
