PFAS-coated clothes that are thrown away will often end up either incinerated or in landfill. Unless incinerated at very high temperatures (>1000oC), fluorinated polymers could release more harmful PFAS during burning. PFAS of environmental concern have also been found in landfill leachate. PFAS is found in treated waste water from industrial and domestic sources and has been found in both rivers and groundwater. Conventional drinking water processes will not remove PFAS.Small quantities of PFAS will be removed during wash and wear of products containing PFAS. This includes fluorinated polymers used on stain-resistant coatings, and non-polymers that remain on clothes after production (Lassen et al. 2015).Non-polymer PFAS can build up in blood protein of animals, and is not always removed quickly. This means that predators eating PFAS-contaminated food will have higher levels in their bloodstream, and concentrations can increase up the food chain. Studies suggest that build up of PFAS is similar to those of other Persistent Organic Pollutants such as DDT.PFAS are estimated to be settling in arctic regions at rates of tens to hundreds of kilograms per year (25-850kg per year), depending on the specific PFAS chemical in question. Certain PFAS are released as gases to the environment and are blown a long way by wind and air currents in the atmosphere,. These gas PFAS will over time degrade to more persistent chemicals like PFOS and PFOA. This may be one reason why PFAS of environmental concern have been found in remote regions such as the Arctic as well as near PFAS production sitesPFAS including PFOS and PFOA have been found in air samples around Europe. The chemicals are found in small quantities, but appear in almost all samples tested. PFAS enters the atmosphere both from factories and the air inside our homes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554424 Non-polymer PFAS are used in the production of fluorinated polymers. The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes generally releases these PFASs into the environment, both by air and water emissions. They are very hard to remove during water treatment. Workers in textiles factories are some of the population most exposed to these potentially harmful chemicals.

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Concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters

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Create Date 16th June 2025
Last Updated 27th June 2025

Concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters

This study monitored TFA concentrations at 54 locations covering 32 rivers across the UK and throughout all seasons. The study aimed to determine whether TFA was present in UK surface water and to establish the degree of contamination compared to findings in other countries.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a highly persistent and mobile ultrashort chain PFAS that is widespread in the environment.

Key findings:

This is the first comprehensive investigation into TFA contamination in UK surface water.
98% of the 54 sites tested were found to be contaminated with TFA.
One site reported the second-highest level of TFA contamination ever recorded globally.
Average TFA concentrations in the UK are at the higher end of the global scale when compared to similar studies.
The widespread detection of TFA across UK waterways highlights the urgent need for source control.

Published, June 2025

Language: English

Attached Files

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Concentrations of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in UK Surface Waters.pdf	Download
TFA in UK surface waters - Summary Report.pdf	Download