'Forever chemical' TFA detected in Flanders' drinking water
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), the smallest variant of the PFAS family of '"forever chemicals", has been found in drinking water basins across Flanders, according to measurements by water company De Watergroep seen by VRT NWS.
De Watergroep collected 924 samples in the first half of this year and found the highest values in West Flanders. The substance enters drinking water via rain, fog, clouds, watercourses and sewers. Agriculture and historic industry are major sources.
For now, its precise effects on health are unknown. Flanders does not yet have a standard for TFA, but Environment minister Jo Brouns announced a new health advisory value of 15.6 micrograms per litre of drinking water on Tuesday.
The relatively high values found in West Flanders remain below this precautionary threshold. In Wallonia and the Netherlands, the limit is 2.2 micrograms per litre, which is lower than the measured values.
TFA has also been found in drinking water in Brussels and Wallonia. It is thought to occur just about everywhere in Europe, but despite its widespread presence, there have been few studies on the precise environmental and health risks.
The standard may be adjusted in the future as a result of further research. "The Dutch authorities used a different approach, looking at the possible health risks of TFA in combination with those of other PFAS," the Flemish Department of Care said in a statement. "However, the research report showed that there are many uncertainties and assumptions in that methodology. (...) A substance-specific approach is therefore better suited."
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used widely in consumer products that take thousands of years to break down.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO BELPRESS
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