High Levels of Toxic TFA Found in Luxembourg's Water Sources, Calls for Immediate Action

High concentrations of the toxic chemical Tri-Fluor-Esseg-Saier (TFA) have been discovered in Luxembourg's Uelzecht river and the Dummeldeng drinking water source. This alarming finding was revealed in a recent study conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN Europe) and Global 2000, with contributions from the Mouvement Ecologique.

The study analyzed water samples from 23 rivers and six drinking water sources across ten EU countries, including Luxembourg. The results showed that the TFA concentration in the Alzette river near Mersch was approximately 1,220 nanograms per liter, while the Dummeldeng drinking water source had a concentration of nearly 1,000 nanograms per liter. These levels significantly exceed the EU's recommended limit of 500 nanograms per liter for PFAS.

Why this matters: The contamination of water sources with toxic chemicals like TFA has significant implications for public health and the environment. If left unchecked, it can lead to severe health issues and long-term damage to ecosystems.

TFA is a persistent degradation product of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used in various industrial applications, including pesticides and fluorinated gases. PFAS chemicals have been linked to severe health issues such as reproductive toxicity, cancer, immune system damage, and endocrine disruption, even at very low concentrations.

The Mouvement Ecologique is calling for immediate political action to address this pressing issue. The organization demands a ban on PFAS pesticides, which are a major source of TFA contamination. They also urge the government to recognize the dangers of TFA and to adapt the EU's pesticide regulation to include TFA as a priority substance, making its monitoring mandatory.

The study's findings highlight a broader issue of toxic chemical contamination in EU water sources. The Mouvement Ecologique criticizes the lack of public data on TFA levels in EU countries, noting that only a few countries, including Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, provide such data.

The persistence and mobility of TFA mean that it can contaminate groundwater, soil, and human bodies for centuries. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) made a controversial decision in 2003 to exempt TFA from monitoring and limit values, which has contributed to the widespread contamination of European surface and groundwater, according to a report.

The Mouvement Ecologique emphasizes that the detected TFA contamination requires swift and decisive action. They stress the need for greater transparency and immediate measures from governments to protect public health and the environment. The organization notes that TFA is a very persistent and very mobile breakdown product of PFAS pesticides, F-gases, and other forever chemicals (PFAS). *

The presence of high levels of toxic TFA in Luxembourg's water sources is a significant environmental and public health concern. Immediate action is needed to address this issue and prevent further contamination.

Key Takeaways

• High levels of toxic TFA found in Luxembourg's Uelzecht river and Dummeldeng drinking water source.
• TFA concentrations exceed EU's recommended limit of 500 nanograms per liter.
• TFA linked to severe health issues, including cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption.
• Mouvement Ecologique demands ban on PFAS pesticides and recognition of TFA as a priority substance.
• Immediate action needed to address TFA contamination and protect public health and environment.