Data published today by the environmental group Fidra and the University of York, found the presence of a little-known PFAS forever chemical called trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), widespread in UK rivers with some levels being amongst the highest ever recorded globally.
For the first time in the UK, rivers across the various countries have been found to contain the forever chemical TFA. Some 31 out of the 32 rivers tested were found to contain TFA, resulting in an incredible 97% of rivers tested, and 98% of the 54 sites tested. This is the first study investigating TFA pollution in UK rivers, with a group restriction of PFAS chemicals now being urgently urged to control contamination at the various sources of these hotspots.
The regional impact
Scotland recorded the single highest concentration found in this study, with a reading of 78,464.2 ng/l. This level is the second highest level of TFA contamination ever recorded in surface water. In Yorkshire, the River Foss recorded a maximum of 4676 ng/l, with the Calder also recording a maximum of 2831 ng/l. TFA concentrations were also found in the Aire, Derwent, Ouse and Colne rivers.
Alistair Boxall, professor of environmental science at the University of York, told Yorkshire Bylines: “There are no UK limits for TFA but the Dutch have proposed a safe value of 2,200 ng/l. Both the Derwent and Ouse sites are upstream of drinking water abstraction points – data from other research suggests that drinking water treatment isn’t very effective at removing TFA.”
What are the sources for chemical pollution?
TFA is a small but highly persistent and mobile PFAS. It’s attracting growing attention due to its widespread environmental contamination and potential to harm human health. TFA is one of over 10,000 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) now internationally recognised for their adverse health and environmental impacts. PFAS are used in numerous household items such as non-stick pans, food packaging, clothing and toiletries, as well as industrial products such as firefighting foams and pesticides.
These so-called ‘forever chemicals’ are highly persistent, mobile and can build up along food chains to potentially harmful concentration levels. Other known sources include PFAS used in pharmaceuticals, fluorinated gases often used as refrigerants, and pesticides. In 2022, PFAS pesticides were sprayed on the equivalent of more than 10.6 million hectares of arable crops in the UK, an area the size of Iceland.
TFA is often formed in the environment when other larger PFAS partially breakdown. It’s considered to be in the same sub-group of PFAS as PFOA, a chemical now heavily restricted globally due to its proven carcinogenic effects. There is currently no practical or economically viable way to remove TFA from our environment, leading to growing scientific concern over the impact that continually rising concentrations may have on human health and environmental processes. TFA easily spreads and builds up in water supplies, as well as plants and food sources, from where it can be readily absorbed by the human body.
Levels in drinking water
Alistair Boxall also commented: “Sadly, I am not at all surprised by these results. TFA is a very mobile chemical that doesn’t seem to be removed by drinking water treatment systems so it is likely that levels in drinking water will be similar to those we found in some of the rivers. While there are methods to remove TFA from drinking water, these are very expensive and likely impractical. We urgently need to stop chemicals like TFA at source, so they don’t get into our environment in the first place.
“As a society, we are constantly playing catch up with the problem of chemical pollution. We urgently need a more effective and proactive approach to the management and monitoring of chemicals in the UK environment so that we protect the health of the ecosystems and humans from the threat of substances like TFA.”
‘Solutions are possible’
Hannah Evans, project manager at Fidra, emphasised the need for solutions, when she said:
“This new research is an important first insight into the state of TFA contamination throughout the UK and highlights the wider issue of PFAS pollution across the country. We’re now learning more about the risks associated with TFA, but at a stage when it is already widespread in our environment and concentrations are expected to increase. We have seen this before with other PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA – we urgently need a more proactive approach to addressing harmful chemicals to break this on-going cycle.
“We know solutions are possible. Countries such as France and Denmark have already made great strides in restricting PFAS use, and the EU is progressing with a proposed ban on all 10,000+ substances. If we are truly to address this issue, we must prioritise source control. We’re asking the UK government to turn off the tap of these persistent ‘forever chemicals’ and align with the EU’s proposed universal PFAS restriction.”
