TFA in drinking water: where does this pollutant come from and what are the risks?

The tap water you drink may contain various pollutants. And one of them increasingly worries scientists: TFA, from the PFAS family.

Behind these three letters lies trifluoroacetic acid, a highly persistent compound that can notably originate from the degradation of fluorinated substances used in certain pesticides, herbicides, fluorinated gases, or even cosmetic products.

It currently contaminates soils, groundwater, and, inevitably, the water we drink.

The subject is taken very seriously. On July 22, 2026, the EFSA actually lowered the daily dose of TFA considered to be without significant risk to human health by 3.6 times.

So, how does this pollutant end up in our glass? What are the health risks? And can we really eliminate it from tap water?

Let’s take stock.

Is TFA dangerous to health?

The characteristics of TFA are concerning for our health. This fluorinated compound is a very small, highly soluble, and chemically stable molecule.

In practical terms, it moves easily with water, degrades very slowly, and persists in the environment. This favors its presence in the water and food we consume.

And the latest scientific data reinforce these concerns. In June 2026, the ECHA Risk Assessment Committee concluded that TFA meets the criteria for classification as “Reprotoxic 1B.” It is thus suspected of being toxic to reproduction.

Animal studies have also highlighted effects on thyroid hormones and development. Other consequences, particularly on the liver, are also being studied.

The problem? We may be exposed to this contaminant daily, among other ways by drinking our tap water.

Why is TFA found in drinking water?

If TFA is found in our drinking water, it is because it originates from many synthetic chemicals.

Among the main sources of contamination:

• Fluorinated gases: some refrigerants used in air conditioners and heat pumps disperse into the atmosphere and can degrade into TFA. It then falls to the ground with rain.
• Fluorinated pesticides and herbicides: used in agriculture, some degrade into TFA in the environment. It then passes through the soils and can reach groundwater.
• Industrial activities: the manufacture and use of fluorinated materials can lead to TFA emissions. Some everyday products, particularly cosmetics, can also contribute to the dispersion of fluorinated molecules in the environment.
  

And this is where this contaminant becomes particularly concerning. The PFAS family (eternal pollutants) includes over 10,000 substances, and many fluorinated elements can degrade to form TFA.

Once formed, it constitutes an extremely stable degradation product. In other words, it hardly disappears at all.

Consequence: as long as its precursors continue to be released into nature, new TFA will continue to form. Its levels in water resources will therefore increase over the years.

This phenomenon helps to better understand the extent of the PFAS problem in tap water.

How contaminated is the water by TFA in France?

In France, TFA is far from being an occasionally found pollutant in tap water.

Between 2023 and 2025, the ANSES examined over 600 samples of distributed water across the entire territory, including overseas. Traces were detected in 92% of them.

As a result: this substance is by far the most frequently found PFAS, with a median concentration of 780 ng/L.

This massive pollution is also observed elsewhere in Europe. In 2024, Générations Futures and PAN Europe analyzed groundwater and surface water from 10 European countries.

The finding from this data: widespread contamination, particularly high in agricultural areas.

Even more telling: the average TFA measurement reached 1,180 ng/L, about 70 times that of all other PFAS searched combined in this study.

In light of these results, associations are calling for a ban on PFAS pesticides, systematic monitoring of TFA, and the establishment of specific limits.

Is TFA in drinking water regulated in France?

Despite its presence in 92% of samples analyzed by ANSES (National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety), TFA currently has no regulatory limit in water in France.

Since January 2026, European regulations require monitoring of 20 PFAS in water intended for human consumption, with a limit set at 0.1 µg/L for their total. However, TFA, which is an ultra-short-chain PFAS, is not included in this list.

While waiting for the work of institutions and the WHO, France can rely on the German indicative value of 60 µg/L. Note: this is a benchmark and not a French regulatory limit.

The situation will, however, evolve: a French decree plans to make TFA testing mandatory in the sanitary control of drinking water starting January 2027, in addition to the 20 PFAS already monitored.

Better late than never.

Can TFA be removed from tap water?

Good news: yes, it is possible to significantly reduce the presence of TFA in tap water. However, it is essential to use an appropriate treatment.

Highly soluble and very mobile, it is particularly difficult to retain with conventional filtration processes.

This is precisely where OPropre comes into play. Installed directly under the sink, the system combines coconut shell activated carbon and an ion exchange resin specifically designed to trap PFAS.

And what about TFA? In a test conducted under conditions representative of domestic use, OPropre achieved 99.9% retention of TFA.

All this without removing natural minerals and with returnable, rechargeable, and recycled cartridges.

This allows for drinking higher quality water more peacefully, without reverting to plastic bottles.

To learn more, discover how to filter PFAS from water.