Increasing levels of trans fatty acids in global waters are raising concerns

The presence of trifluoroacetic acid, a dangerous ‘forever chemical’, is escalating in several global environments, raising concerns about its impact on human fertility and child development.

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In brief:

• Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) accumulates in the environment due to its presence in products such as refrigerants and pesticides, despite the fact that it replaces CFCs to protect the ozone layer.
• Concerns about the irreversibility of trans fatty acid accumulation are increasing, with evidence showing dramatic increases in surface water, rainwater and human blood.
• Efforts to control the effects of trans fatty acids are lagging behind, as only a few countries set legal limits, and effective removal from water remains a challenging and costly issue.

Important quote:

“Everywhere you look it is increasing. There is no research showing that the concentration of trans fatty acids has not increased.”

— David Behringer, environmental consultant

Why this is important:

Trifluoroacetic acid may not yet be a household name, but its environmental and health impacts are coming under increasing scrutiny. This substance belongs to the larger family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistence in the environment and their resistance to natural degradation processes. Unlike some other compounds in this class, TFA is highly mobile and can easily migrate into water systems, raising concerns about its potential to contaminate drinking water supplies.