Scientists are turning their attention to trifluoroacetic acid, a persistent chemical that may be widespread in the environment and difficult to filter out of drinking water.
Miranda Willson reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a lesser-known “forever chemical,” is gaining scrutiny due to its widespread presence and resistance to conventional water filtration systems.
- TFA is structurally different from other well-known PFAS but shares some health concerns, including potential links to cancer and reproductive health issues.
- Experts argue that addressing TFA will be costly, as it requires specialized filtration methods like reverse osmosis, which could complicate ongoing efforts to manage water contamination.
Key quote:
“It’s absolutely everywhere. TFA will be the next discussion in America, I can guarantee it.”
— Sarah Hale, environmental researcher.
Why this matters:
TFA’s persistence in the environment and its growing presence in drinking water could lead to significant health risks if exposure proves harmful. Addressing it will require new technologies and substantial investment.
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