The new research titled “MESSAGE FROM THE BOTTLE: The Rapid Rise of TFA Contamination Across the EU,” published by members of the European Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe), reveals a startling and rapidly increasing presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in European wines. This study underscores the pervasive nature of PFAS contamination and highlights the urgent need for a swift transition to PFAS-free technologies, including in cooling and heating.
The research, which analyzed wines from ten EU countries dating back to 1974, found an exponential rise in TFA levels, particularly since 2010. Wines from before 1988 showed no detectable TFA, while wines from 2021-2024 had average levels of , with peaks exceeding . This widespread contamination was observed across all countries tested, indicating a systemic environmental issue.
TFA: A Persistent PFAS with Growing Risks
TFA is a short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), often referred to as a “forever chemical” due to its extreme persistence in the environment. Unlike many other substances, TFA does not break down through natural processes, leading to its inevitable accumulation in water, soil, plants, and even human blood. While TFA was once considered toxicologically “non-relevant,” recent studies, including a REACH-compliant animal study cited in the report showing severe malformations in rabbit fetuses, have shattered this myth and led to proposals for classifying TFA as presumed to be toxic for reproduction.
Connecting the Dots: HFO Refrigerants and TFA Contamination
While the study points to PFAS pesticides as a predominant source of TFA in groundwater and drinking water in rural areas due to their direct application to land, it also explicitly identifies fluorinated refrigerants, known as F-gases, as a major global source of TFA pollution. The report highlights the “regrettable substitution” cycle, where ozone-depleting CFCs were replaced by high global warming potential HFCs, which partially degrade into TFA (such as for example R134a). Subsequently, HFCs have been replaced by Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) since around 2010. While HFOs (such as R1234yf) have lower climate impact, they degrade rapidly and almost completely into TFA.
This atmospheric degradation of HFOs contributes significantly to the global water cycle’s TFA load. While diffuse globally, this widespread presence means TFA enters the environment through precipitation and other pathways, leading to the contamination of agricultural soils and water sources that are essential for crop growth, including grapevines. The detection of similarly high TFA concentrations in organic wines in the study, which were free from pesticide residues, further supports the conclusion that widespread environmental contamination from sources like HFO degradation plays a substantial role in TFA accumulation in crops.
Implications for the HVAC&R sector
The findings of this wine study serve as a critical wake-up call. They demonstrate that the environmental burden of TFA from various sources, including the widespread use and degradation of HFO refrigerants in systems like mobile air conditioning, is accumulating and directly impacting the food chain.
For the Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling and Heating, this research reinforces the urgency of our mission. Cooling and heating systems that use natural refrigerants do not pose a TFA threat, as natural refrigerants are PFAS and TFA free.
The irreversible nature of TFA accumulation and the significant challenges and costs associated with its removal from drinking water necessitate immediate preventative action. Banning PFAS pesticides/herbicides and F-gases, including the HFOs that degrade into TFA, is essential to protect our environment, our food supply, and public health.
The Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling and Heating is committed to advocating for and accelerating the adoption of safe, sustainable, and truly PFAS-free cooling and heating solutions, using natural refrigerants.
This research from PAN Europe strengthens our resolve and provides further compelling evidence for the need for urgent change.
