PFAS in pesticides are a major source of TFA contamination of our drinking water resources and must be banned

The European Commission is poised to propose that the active pesticide substances flufenacet and flutolanil should not be reapproved. Both substances lead to the release of TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) to the environment. This very persistent and mobile chemical can now be found even in remote areas of the world and accumulates in groundwater and elsewhere.

Oliver Loebel, EurEau Secretary General, states: “We welcome the Commission proposal to apply existing EU rules and ban flufenacet and flutolanil. Member States should do the right thing and impose the ban. TFA contamination of our water resources is increasing and can only be halted and reversed by enforcing strict control-at-source measures. All  PFAS-containing pesticides should be withdrawn from the market.”

Although current knowledge suggests that TFA is far less toxic than many PFAS, its continued release may lead to concentrations in our water supplies, which then require additional treatment by drinking water operators in order to protect health. However, removing TFA from water is technically extremely challenging, costly and unsustainable. Several TFA (re-)assessments have recently been launched at EU level that are likely to lead to a health-derived limit value for TFA in drinking water.