Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

3.26 - Trifluoroacetic Acid in the Environment – Here Today, More Tomorrow

Description

Keywords: Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Exposure, PFAS

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a fluorinated chemical of interest due to its extreme persistence, ubiquity in the environment, especially in aquatic ecosystems and plants/produce, its resistance to remediation, and increasing concentrations globally. It is the smallest of the short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids that contains a single -CF3 group bound to a carboxyl functional group, is a strong acid, and is completely miscible with water. While an unknown amount of TFA is emitted to the environment directly from waste released during manufacture of fluorochemicals, the balance is likely formed as a terminal residue of environmental breakdown of diverse chemicals, making source elucidation more challenging. One of these sources of TFA is degradation of some replacements for the ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. This source is well quantified and the chemistry is understood; however, other potential anthropogenic sources are not. These include combustion of fluoropolymers and environmental degradation of pharmaceuticals and pesticides that contain one or more C-CF3 moieties. This session will address the ongoing discussion about the sources, fate, toxicity, and ultimately, the human health and ecological risk posed by TFA.

This platform session will be a forum for those working on TFA to present the latest science on this unique molecule. Presentations on production and release of TFA, environmental analytical techniques, accumulation in plants/ecosystems, human biomonitoring, impacts, fate, management and regulation are welcome. The session will also provide an opportunity for those working on TFA to gather and discuss possible collaborations and outline priorities for future research,

Chairs

Hans Peter Arp Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) Norway
Shira Joudan University of Alberta Canada
Mark Hanson University of Manitoba Canada
Finnian Freeling TZW: DVGW-Water Technology Center, Karlsruhe (Water Technology Center) Germany