PFAS and TFA contamination research reveals environmental risks and mitigation success

Recent research in Sweden and Finland highlights the environmental and health risks posed by PFAS and related ‘forever chemicals.’ A study led by Lars Wiik at Hushållningssällskapet in Skåne found that water near conventional potato farms contains twice as much trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as farms without potato cultivation. TFA is considered environmentally hazardous and potentially reproductive-toxic.

In a separate development, hydrologist Robert Earon from the Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI) reported success in containing PFAS contamination. Testing conducted at airports in Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik demonstrated that using activated carbon in the soil can reduce the spread of PFAS from firefighting foams into groundwater by more than 99 percent. This method is described as both promising and relatively simple for addressing sites contaminated by firefighting foam.