Red alarm level: toxic eternal floors Discovered TFA in food!

Red alarm level: toxic eternal floors Discovered TFA in food!

Österreich - In recent years, the strain on trifluoracetate (TFA), a so -called eternal base chemical, has assumed worrying dimensions. A current analysis shows that TFA has been detected in numerous grain products, including bread, breakfast flakes, cookies, pasta and various types of grain such as spelled, wheat, rye, rice and corn. In a total of 48 products examined, the researchers found residues with an alarming average load of 119 nanograms per gram of product. These values ​​are significantly above the measurements of surface or drinking water, which indicates a comprehensive contamination of arable soils, as environmental chemist Helmut Burtscher damage said. [VOL.AT] (https://www.vol.at/weg-fuer-die-plot-rueckstaende- von-tfa-in-foods-founded/9450767) reported that both biological and conventional products were affected, whereby bio-certified foods were also lower TFA values.

tfa is initiated from various sources into the environment, including wastewater instructions from industrial plants and the use of pesticides. These chemical compounds are distributed by rain and wind movements and seep into groundwater. Halogenated gases in particular that arise when using refrigerants are broken down into TFA in the atmosphere, which further exacerbates contamination. According to the Environmental Office , the spread of TFA in the water cycle represents a significant challenge for water protection and drinking water supply. increased.

health risks and political demands

The health dangers of TFA can be serious. Studies have shown that TFA leads to serious malformations in animal experiments and there is suspicion that chemical affects human reproduction. The chemical group Bayer had already informed the EU about potential health risks in 2021 and applied for the classification of TFA as "probably damaging to humans". The health assessment depends heavily on the guidelines used and could be significantly different depending on the region, which according to the organization BUND an urgent education of the federal government is necessary.

According to an expert opinion on behalf of Global 2000, no pesticide may be approved that endangers health or groundwater. In Austria, 1612 plant protection products are currently approved, of which 189 PFAS active ingredients contain TFA. In 2022, 117,225 kilograms of pesticide active ingredients were sold, the dismantling product of which is TFA. If completely dismantled, 41,278 kilograms of TFA were due for emission. This has caused the federal chemistry expert Luise Körner to demand that the ministries for the environment and agriculture critically review the approvals of pesticides and offer farmers to reduce the use of harmful chemicals.

The analysis shows that residues from TFA were demonstrated not only in food, but also in drinking water and in rivers. Against this background, a rapid political reaction is required to stop contamination with TFA and thus protect the health of people and the environment.