PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Newsletter October
Why is everyone talking about TFA?
Trifluoroacetic acid, which does not meet the current US definition of PFAS (It meets OECD and Canadian definitions) is nevertheless getting a lot of attention. Most recently, TFA and other ultrashort PFAS will be in the upcoming UCMR6 monitoring, and there are now two standard methods for TFA, ASTM-D8628-25 that covers all aqueous matrices, and EPA 563, for drinking water specifically. Why all this attention on TFA?
- It is by far the single biggest contributor to PFAS monitoring results, that is, if you are looking for it. Whether it’s drinking water, surface/groundwater or from an effluent/leachate waste stream, TFA can be upwards of 90% of the measured PFAS concentration
- It is ubiquitous. The last time I looked at our lab’s TFA occurrence data, we saw it in >95% of all samples even at a reporting limit of 100 ng/L, which is a 100 times higher than our usual PFOS/PFOA reporting limits. TFA has also been reported in humans, especially in urine and serum.
- TFA is very stable like other perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, and extremely mobile. So, it can travel far from the source
- Unlike many other PFAS, sources include the so called F gases, fluorinated refrigerants that are in widespread use as we replaced CFCs causing ozone depletion. Research shows a clear increase in TFA coinciding with the increase in use of gases such as HCFC-124 and HFC-134. With atmospheric deposition resulting in TFA in water, the TFA occurrence is likely worldwide
- We added TFA to our TOP ultrashorts extension a while back. This has been very interesting and adds quite a bit of TOP increase in many cases, given fluorotelomer precursors produce a significant amount of TFA and PFPrA in the TOP reaction. So, a TOP that does not include the ultrashorts is missing PFAS
- Toxicity: The data is still emerging. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recently recommended the reclassification of TFA as a reprotoxic substance. While current guidance does not indicate that general levels in the environment are a toxicity risk at present, given TFA is increasing and we’re still catching up on routine monitoring and toxicity assessment, this situation requires attention. Half-life in humans is 2-3 days, so the issue really is about ongoing exposure.
Any TFA or ultrashort questions? Do reach out!
SGS Updates
How do you know how stable emerging contaminants are in samples? This is a surprisingly challenging question as stability and storage data on emerging contaminants is hard to come by while being crucial to our understanding of their occurrence, fate and transport. Our expert SGS Senior Scientist Dr. Coreen Hamilton , contributed to the research article Degradation of bisphenols, halogenated flame retardants, and pesticides in wastewater and biosolids samples during frozen storage.
This publication provides insights into wastewater and biosolids as important pathways of chemicals to the environment and thus are often included in monitoring programs. This study evaluates the stability of bisphenols, halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), and pesticides in frozen (−20 °C) wastewater media over a one-year period.
Read the full paper to learn more about this insightful research and its findings Research Publication: Degradation of bisphenols, halogenated flame retardants, and pesticides in wastewater and biosolids samples during frozen storage – SGS North America
For more information on how these updates impact you, contact our experts today.
Stay tuned! Click on SGS PFAS/emerging contaminants analysis capabilities, and see why SGS delivers what you need every step of way.
US Policy News
EPA updates data on PFOA and PFOS production in the US
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has changed the wording on its website regarding two compounds from the PFAS group — PFOA and PFOS. It previously stated that the production and import of PFOA in the United States had been phased out. The EPA now says that certain quantities of the substance may be manufactured, imported and used by companies. The agency also noted that PFOS is produced in the US for some limited ongoing uses.
US News by State
National
US states challenge Corteva spinoff as bid to evade PFAS liabilities
Fifteen US states sued agrichemicals company Corteva on Thursday, alleging that the spinoff of its seed and genetics business into Vylor was designed to shield the company’s best assets from tens of billions of dollars in potential liabilities tied to PFAS “forever chemicals” that have polluted the environment.
PFAS levels in United States drinking water may be underestimated
Common ways of reporting perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-the man-made, so-called forever chemicals that pose environmental and health threats-could underestimate the concentration of PFAS in United States drinking water by as much as half, finds a study publishing October 23 in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports Sustainability.
PFAS detected at 83% of monitored U.S. waterways, report finds
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were detected at 83% of 1,602 U.S. surface-water monitoring locations tested between 2022 and 2024, according to an analysis by Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Texas
PFAS chemicals detected in Texas rivers and lakes, new report shows | kvue.com
“Forever chemicals” have been found throughout Texas rivers and lakes, according to a new report from Environment Texas Research and Policy Center.
Idaho
Idaho Team Joins Agencies to Find Path to Evaluate PFAS
The Idaho Cleanup Project is implementing an established, cost-effective process to evaluate potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances sites at the Idaho National Laboratory.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Launches Grant Programs to Address PFAS Contamination
Gov. Tony Evers and state environmental regulators announced the launch of new grant programs Tuesday to help communities and private well owners address PFAS contamination.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for around $80 million that’s available for local and tribal governments to sample for the so-called forever chemicals in private wells and public water supplies.
New Jersey
PFAS Detected in 91% of 86 Tested NJ Waterways, Cooper River and Big Timber Creek Among Them
PFAS, the synthetic compounds known as forever chemicals, were detected in 91% of 86 New Jersey waterways tested, New Jersey 101.5 reported. Some of the contaminated waterways flow upstream of drinking water intakes.
Global News
PFAS Contamination in India Raises Drinking Water Safety Concerns
PFAS Contamination in India Raises Drinking Water Safety Concerns: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in water samples across several Indian states, raising concerns about drinking-water safety and environmental pollution. These synthetic chemicals are widely used in industrial products and can persist in the environment for long periods.