New report on TFA in surface- and groundwaters
In recent years, ultrashort PFAS (1-3 carbon atoms) have attracted more and more attention, especially for drinking water but also ground and surface water. The concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in precipitation have increased since the 90s through the breakdown of "modern" freons (e.g. HFC-134a, HFO-1234yf), and in addition there are about 40 pesticides approved within the EU that can be broken down into TFA (see link). Guideline values for TFA in drinking water have already been enforced in the Netherlands (NL), Denmark (DK) and Germany (DE). Environmental quality standards (EQS) for surface water exist in Germany and have recently been introduced in Denmark. For groundwater, TFA has the status as a “non-relevant metabolite”, which is a group that should be monitored according to the proposal for a revised groundwater directive.
New investigation
A new study (see link) has now been published by a group of European environmental organizations including the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. In total 23 European surface waters and six groundwaters were investigated. The analysis comprised TFA in addition to three other ultrashort PFAS and PFAS20 (acc to EU drinking water directive (DWD)) in composite samples. TFA concentrations ranged from 370 to 3300 ng/l. The mean level in surface water was 1200 ng/l as compared to 1000 ng/l in groundwater samples. The highest value was seen for the River Elbe (DE; 3300 ng/l) followed by the River Seine (FR; 2900 ng/l). Among the other ultrashort PFAS, PFPrA was detected in composite samples, but at much lower concentrations (<2-11 ng/l; n=3). TFA made up 98-99% of all PFAS measured. The results are discussed in the context of the EU pesticide regulation, “PFAS total” in the DWD (limit 500 ng/l), the need of EQS in the water framework directive (WFD) and risk assessment of (ultra)short PFAS.
The raising levels of TFA in water and rain was also brought to attention in a recent article in the newspaper The Guardian. In the article, examples from all over the world were given, alongside descriptions of possible sources, toxicology and regulation (see link).
Eurofins work and analytical offer
Last year (2023) Eurofins carried out its own study of drinking water (n=32) in Sweden and Norway (see link). Also in this case TFA was present everywhere, in concentrations between 70 ng/l (Trondheim) and 720 ng/l (Visby). In some cases the level of PFAS (incl TFA) exceeded the DWD “PFAS total”. The work was later extended to include samples from DK, DE, AU and FR. These new results showed a clear difference between surface-, infiltrated- and groundwaters as source with higher values for the former two. It can be noted that the TFA concentration in drinking water from Paris (2700 ng/l) was close to what was seen for the River Seine.
TFMS (trifluoromethane sulphonate) is another ultrashort PFAS that is commonly observed although it was not included in the European report. It is used as an additive in lithium ion battery (LIB) electrolytes and as a “super acid” in organic synthesis. In our study it was found in a half-dozen Swedish drinking waters in low concentrations (<1-1.5 ng/l). The highest level, as for TFA, was found in the Paris sample (28 ng/l).
Eurofins offers a pack (PLW98) with the five common ultrashort PFAS (TFA, TFMS, PFPrA, PFEtS and PFPrS) in water. Two 100ml PFAS bottles are required. Read more at the link below or use the search engine at our homepage.
Contact Eurofins experts!
Questions about PFAS can be answered by our analytical advisory service, which can be reached via customer support, 010-490 8110 or e-mail: sh-analys.miljo.se@etn.eurofins.com
Links
TFA report (at Swe Soc Nat Conserv)
The Guardian
Eurofins ultrashort study
Eurofins ultrashort analysis
Eurofins search engine