News

2026

5 October 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
Chinese Study Finds TFA Obstructs Functioning of Blood Vessels (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
Trifluoracetic acid, a byproduct of certain f-gases, interferes with energy production and growth in the endothelial cells that line the interior of blood vessels, according to the study.
3 September 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
Environmental Groups Urge U.S. EPA to Reject HFO Coolant for Data Centers (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
Earthjustice leads argument against two-phase immersion fluid Opteon 2P50, a PFAS that degrades in the atmosphere into TFA and PFPrA.
7 August 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
U.S. EPA Proposes Monitoring TFA in Drinking Water (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
TFA, an HFO byproduct, is among 30 chemicals under review; the agency is holding webinars on the topic on August 11 and 12, with written feedback due August 31.
6 August 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
European Food Safety Authority Lowers Values for Safe Consumption of TFA (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
Intended to support consumer protection regulations, EFSA’s updated ADI and ARfD values are based on recent animal studies that showed TFA reducing levels of a thyroid hormone.
19 June 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
Weekly Wrap-up: SWEP’s New Stainless Steel BPHE, a GEA R717 Heat Pump in Türkiye, DTX Tape Is PFAS-Free and More (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
In addition to what we published this week, these stories caught our eye.
18 June 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
European Chemicals Agency Committee Finds TFA Should be Classified as Reproductively Toxic (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
Concurring with a German proposal per the EU’s CLP law, the Risk Assessment Committee’s opinion still needs the approval of the European Commission to be legally binding.
9 June 2026NaturalRefrigerants.com
ATMOsphere to Host Webinar with Hanon Systems Discussing Its New White Paper on TFA Emissions in the European MAC Sector (opens NaturalRefrigerants.com in a new tab)
The webinar will be held June 18 at 3pm CET.
2 June 2026
Hanon Systems Estimates TFA Levels Generated by Automotive F-Gas Emissions
Hanon Systems, a major South Korean provider of automotive thermal management systems, has released a report estimating the amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) generated in Europe by emissions of refrigerants HFC-134a and HFO-1234yf from car cooling and heating systems. The report also describes the opportunity to limit TFA creation via the use of CO2 (R744) and…
12 May 2026PFAS
Democrats Propose PFAS Legislation in U.S. Congress That Would Include F-Gases and TFA
Two Democrats have proposed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate to address the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the domestic supply chain, using a definition of PFAS that would include many refrigerants and the atmospheric byproduct of some refrigerants called trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The bill, the Forever Chemical Regulation and…
27 March 2026
ECHA Launches Consultation on SEAC’s Draft Opinion on PFAS
The European Chemicals Agency has invited stakeholders to comment until May 25 on the draft opinion of its SEAC Committee on the proposed restriction of PFAS, including f-gases. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on March 25 that until May 25 EU stakeholders can provide comments that will help inform the final opinion of the…
8 March 2026Europe
Seeking Accountability for Forever Chemicals: Activists and Legal Experts Present Cases Against the Chemical Industry at EP Outreach Event
Brussels — The European Parliament recently hosted a policy event that brought together affected communities, legal experts, scientists, and policymakers to discuss the ongoing issues surrounding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution. Hosted as a Renew Europe outreach event by MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, the core focus centered on the argument that while citizens and lawyers…
15 January 2026Europe
Monitoring of PFAS, Including TFA, Begins Under EU Drinking Water Directive
As of January 12, member states must measure either total PFAS, including TFA, or the sum of 20 PFAS, with limits of 0.5mcg/L and 0.1mcg/L, respectively. The European Commission announced on January 12 that, under new rules in the EU’s recast Drinking Water Directive, member states must begin monitoring “in a harmonized way” per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels…

2025

22 October 2025PFAS
Pesticides NGO Disputes Chemical Companies’ Interpretation of TFA Toxicity Studies
The Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, a Brussels-based NGO, has released a report that challenges industry interpretations of animal studies looking at the toxicity of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a byproduct of some f-gases, pesticides and other chemicals. The report, “Manufacturing Doubt: How the Industry Downplays TFA’s Toxicity,” is based on PAN Europe’s analysis of chemical manufacturer-supported studies “to…
23 September 2025
Canadian Researchers Find More Atmospheric TFA in the Summer and in Urban Areas
Using a novel air sampler, the study revealed trends consistent with the leakage of HFO-1234yf in car air-conditioning. A new study by Canadian researchers has found that the amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the atmosphere, formed by the oxidation of HFO-1234yf and other f-gases, is greatest in the summer and near urban areas, consistent…
5 September 2025
Illinois and New Mexico Exclude F-Gas Refrigerants from PFAS Laws
A new law enacted by Illinois and a similar law passed in April in New Mexico, which both authorize significant regulations of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), specifically exclude refrigerants that are deemed acceptable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both Illinois and New Mexico use the scientifically endorsed definition of PFAS that includes many f-gas…
14 August 2025PFAS
ATMOsphere Report Highlights Rising Threat of HFOs and TFA
ATMOsphere, publisher of NaturalRefrigerants.com, has released its second report on the rising threat posed by commonly used HFOs, particularly HFO-1234yf, and their atmospheric byproduct, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), to human health and the environment. The new report, available for free here, also covers the steps being taken in the EU and North America to regulate HFOs and TFA…
28 July 2025PFAS
U.S. Use of HFOs and HCFOs Expected to More Than Double by 2030, Warns EIA
Consumption of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs) in the U.S. is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching approximately 106,000 metric tons – up from around 40,000 metric tons in 2021 – according to a new report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). The report – “Persistent Problems” – raises concerns about the environmental…
17 July 2025PFAS
OEWG 47 Concludes, Paving the Way for MOP 37 Discussions on Ozone Layer Protection, Climate Change and PFAS
Bangkok, Thailand (July 11, 2025) – The 47th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG 47) of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer successfully concluded its week-long session, laying crucial groundwork for the upcoming 37th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 37) in November 2025. Delegates grappled with a…
27 May 2025Europe
Germany’s Linkage of TFA to Reproductive Toxicity Officially Submitted to EU
Three German government agencies – the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) – announced on May 26 that their assessment of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and its trifluoroacetate salts as reproductively toxic, very persistent and very mobile was officially submitted to the European…
12 May 2025PFAS
New research titled “MESSAGE FROM THE BOTTLE: The Rapid Rise of TFA Contamination Across the EU
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…
16 April 2025PFAS
Study Puts Annual Cost of Removing PFAS from the Environment in Europe, Including TFA, at €100 Billion
The cost of removing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the environment in Europe, including “emerging” PFAS like f-gas by-product trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), would be €100 billion ($108 billion) per year, or €2 trillion ($2.2 trillion) after 20 years, according to the “Forever Pollution” study published by a group of journalists and scientists. PFAS, a class of more…
9 April 2025Europe
Join Us as We Hosts Expert Dr. Hans Peter Arp to Discuss “TFA: A Planetary Boundary Threat”
We continue our crucial series of online events, this time featuring esteemed environmental scientist Dr. Hans Peter Arp. The upcoming session will tackle the significant environmental challenge posed by Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The online event, titled “TFA: a planetary boundary threat,” is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th, at 2 pm CET. It aims to provide…
5 April 2025PFAS
How Harmful Is TFA?
A large and growing number of studies have reported the rapid proliferation in the environment of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a by-product of certain f-gases in the atmosphere (notably HFO-1234yf) as well as the breakdown of certain pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other chemicals. This begs the question: how harmful is TFA to human beings? TFA is an ultrashort-chain…
2 April 2025Oceania
Two Studies Confirm that HFO-1234ze(E) Breaks Down into Some HFC-23 in the Atmosphere
Two recent studies have confirmed that HFO-1234ze(E), a commonly used ultra-low-GWP replacement for HFCs, breaks down in the atmosphere to produce a small amount of HFC-23, which has one of the greatest global warming impacts. The two studies are “Fluoroform (CHF3) Production from CF3CHO Photolysis and Implications for the Decomposition of Hydrofluoroolefins and Hydrochlorofluoroolefins in…
25 February 2025
Call to Action: join our industry petition to ECHA
The Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating is calling on all like-minded companies to join us in demanding a healthier, more sustainable and competitive future for the European HVAC&R industry. We have launched a petition urging the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to enact strict and comprehensive restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in HVAC&R…
25 February 2025PFAS
PFAS a growing concern for the HVAC&R industry
The Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating recently hosted a critical online event, “PFAS: A Growing Concern in the HVAC&R Industry,” featuring renowned industry expert Professor Michael Kauffeld. The event focused on the escalating concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) within the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration…
15 January 2025Air conditioning
Maine to Ban Sale of PFAS Refrigerants and PFAS-Containing HVAC&R Equipment in 2040
Unlike the U.S. EPA, Maine defines PFAS to include some fluorinated refrigerants, including TFA-producing HFO-1234yf. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not consider f-gases or their degradation product trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to be part of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or forever chemicals, a category of environmental pollutants. However, the state of Maine takes…

2024

13 December 2024PFAS
ATMO Europe: NatRefs Expert Kauffeld Predicts HFOs Have 8 Years Left
In eight years – by the end of 2032 – HFOs, the latest generation of fluorinated refrigerants, will no longer be a viable refrigerant option, following their predecessors HFCs, HCFCs and CFCs into the dustbin of history, predicted Michael Kauffeld, Professor at the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Environmental Engineering…
13 December 2024PFAS
University of Illinois Researchers Develop Economical Way to Remove TFA from Water
Researchers from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have developed an electrochemical process designed to economically remove up to 86% of ultrashort-chain PFAS trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an f-gas byproduct, as well as long-chain PFAS from water intended for human consumption. A study describing the process – “Integrating redox-electrodialysis and electrosorption for the removal of ultrashort- to long-chain…
9 November 2024PFAS
New Study Calls F-Gas Byproduct TFA a ‘Planetary Boundary Threat’
Produced in the atmosphere from HFO-1234yf and other f-gases, trifluoroacetic acid is an omnipresent PFAS with potentially irreversible disruptive effects, the study says. A new study makes the case that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an atmospheric byproduct of HFO1234yf and other f-gases, meets the criteria of a “planetary boundary threat” because of increasing planetary-scale exposure, where…
23 October 2024Europe
‘Everywhere in Wallonia, Tap Water Is Safe to Drink’
This reassurance comes as the Belgian region finds TFA in drinking water in 598 out of 642 distribution zones, including 13 in which the 2.2mcg/L guidance value was exceeded.
18 October 2024Europe
Researchers Find Growing Levels of TFA in Danish Groundwater Over 60 Years
The study looked at concentrations of TFA – linked to f-gas degradation – in 113 Danish groundwater-monitoring wells.
20 September 2024Europe
Swedish Researchers Find Elevated Levels of TFA in Juices and Kids’ Purées
Health impacts are uncertain, but data suggest children’s intake of orange juice and some purées could result in ‘significant exposure’ to TFA.
29 August 2024North America
Canada Seeks Feedback on PFAS, Including F-Gases
The deadline for comments on the ‘Revised Risk Management Scope’ is September 11.
23 August 2024Europe
Study Urges Audit of Teflon Plants’ Destruction of HFC-23 Byproduct
Global levels of the super greenhouse gas far exceed reported emissions, suggesting lapses in abatement measures.
7 August 2024North America
TFA Most Widely Detected PFAS in Michigan Rainwater Study
An atmospheric byproduct of HFO-1234yf, TFA was found in rainwater samples in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Detroit collected by NGOs.
24 July 2024Europe
Researchers Find That PFAS Components Make Up Less Than 1% of a Commercial Heat Pump
By identifying PFAS components and coatings, the research team’s goal is to make it easier for OEMs to switch to PFAS-free alternatives.
11 July 2024Europe
In Follow-Up Study, European NGO Finds TFA in Drinking Water Throughout Europe
PAN Europe links TFA in drinking water to pesticides and f-gases, after a similar study of surface/groundwater, raising safety questions.
10 July 2024Europe
Secon Invests in New Croatian Production Facility for Hydrocarbon Units
The new premises in Zagreb could produce up to 2,500 hydrocarbon units per year to meet growing demand.
25 June 2024Europe
Study Finds TFA in Water throughout Europe, Linked Mainly to Pesticides and F-Gases
In four rivers, TFA levels detected by PAN Europe surpass the drinking water limit established in the Netherlands.
15 June 2024North America
ATMO America: Famed PFAS Lawyer Bilott Sees ‘History Repeating Itself’ with F-Gas Refrigerants
“We’re hearing the same arguments – that there’s not sufficient science to say we should regulate this,” he said in his keynote.
14 June 2024Europe
In 9 Months, Fenagy Built and Connected a 7MW CO2 Heat Pump to a Town’s District Heating Network
With a 13MW system currently in production, Fenagy sees CO2 as a ‘perfect’ fit for the demand for green district heating in Europe.
6 June 2024Europe
Fenagy Shows Off 3MW CO2 Heat Pump Rack and New 1MW Isobutane Heat Pump in Exclusive Factory Tour Video
The Danish manufacturer is ready to meet the European demand for large-scale heat pumps.

2023

19 October 2023Europe
Busworld 2023 sees rising number of R744-based HVAC systems.
ATMOsphere delegates interviewed Karsten Mundt, Sales Director International – Bus Division, of Konvekta, a Germany-based OEM specialized in air-conditioning, heating, ventilation and refrigeration for earthbound utility vehicles with natural refrigerants, to reflect on the market and its future from a refrigerant perspective. Mundt: Indeed, we are proud to have been the first one to believe…
4 October 2023Europe
Konvekta’s CO2 Heat Pump Nominated for Busworld Innovation Award 2023
The German manufacturer’s R744 heat pump provides energy-efficient air-conditioning and heating for electric double-decker buses.
21 July 2023Heat Pumps
Konvekta Announces ‘Refrigerant Charge Balancing’ for E-Bus CO2 Heat Pump
The new technology ensures that the optimal quantity of refrigerant is always available to the heat pump, says the German manufacturer.

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