Eternal draft chemical TFA: Alarming water pollution in Baden-Württemberg
Eternal draft chemical TFA: Alarming water pollution in Baden-Württemberg
A current study by environmental protection organizations such as "Global 2000" and the "Pesticide Actions Network (PAN)" has produced alarming results regarding drinking water quality in Baden-Württemberg. The focus of the study is on a chemical compound known as an eternal slide chemical: triflouressic acid (TFA). This chemical was demonstrated in a water sample from Baden-Württemberg in a concentration of 1100 nanograms per liter, which makes it the most stressed region in Germany.
TFA and the risk of PFAS
TFA belongs to the group of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAs), which occur in many everyday objects such as teflon pans and outdoor clothing due to their water and fat-repellent properties. These substances are problematic because they get into the environment and accumulate there. Current efforts in Germany aim to prohibit the use of such substances across the EU.
concentrations in comparison
For comparison: In Berlin the TFA content was only 520 nanograms, while in other German cities such as Saxony and Hamburg the values remained below the detection limit. International comparisons show that some cities in Austria are even more stressed with values of up to 4100 nanograms. With 2100 nanograms, Paris also has higher values than Baden-Württemberg.
Health risks and future challenges
Although the current TFA concentration is not regulated by law, experts warn of the long-term health effects. Thomas Rapp from the Federal Environment Agency said that TFA is considered a health risk factor, whose entry in the environment must be reduced. The origins of chemicals are diverse, for example in medication, pesticides or coolant and can get into the human body via the water cycle.
Research and demands
The toxicological effects of TFA have not yet been adequately examined. Initial studies on rats have shown harmful reactions in higher concentrations, but knowledge of the long -term consequences is sparse. Environmentalists are therefore calling for a comprehensive ban on the entire PFAS class to minimize future dangers for people and the environment.
Asked sustainable solutions
Long-term solutions for reducing PFAs in drinking water are urgently required. Experts warn that investments in the conversion of the drinking water treatment plants are necessary to enable TFA filtering. There is a risk that the end product will then be perceived as "purely artificial water".
Africa load in drinking water, as it was now found in Baden-Württemberg, is a wake-up call for society. A strong awareness of the dangers of chemicals and their effects on the environment is essential to protect future generations.
- Nag