TFA is Falling: What’s Really in That Rain?

Rain has a different importance in India. In India, rain is a new form of energy. The exciting fragrance of the soil spread by the rain, the new greenery that is born, and the activity of animal life increases.

The creation of rain-based literature in the world is very large.Rain also has a different importance in Indian literature. The great poet Kalidas describes in Meghdoot which is his famous poem in Sanskrit language, rain clouds as sending love messages. In which clouds are the messengers of the beloved to return to their lover soon.

Rain is the life-giving force in life everywhere in India and the world.

Let us tell you a small story!

In a small town, five or six years old Aarav went out of the house to bathe in the rain, welcoming the first rain. Aarav, who was jumping, dancing, playing with his friends in the first rain, was enjoying the new rain as if he was thanking his heart.

But suddenly he shouted loudly. Mom….!

 Ami came running out and called Aarav into the house and asked, “What happened, son?”

Mom!.. It seems like something has fallen into my eye. Pressing his eye with one hand, she said..

“Son! It will go away soon, come and show me your eye!”

“Hey, your eye has turned red!”

When Ami went outside to get water, she started smelling a strange smell. At one point, her attention was diverted towards it, but she went into home with cold water to clean her child’s eye.

How could Ami understand?, who lives in such a small industrial city, knows that this was not rain but rain with acid.

Man’s hunger for material happiness has disrupted the process of nature. As a result of which such incidents are being experienced. 

In today’s time, acid rain no longer has only two components of sulfur and nitrogen, a new component is being added, trifluoroacetic acid.

We know that the notorious nitric acid and sulfuric acid are responsible for acid rain. But in a published article in nature magazine the third member to join this group is TFA- trifluoroacetic acid.The data shows rising residue of TFA.It is present in soil, plant, water bodies, precipitation, and animal and human tissues. Its present is growing and raises a question like where does it come from? What is the effect of it on the environment and health impact? [1][2][3]

What Is Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)?

A small molecule and higher water solubility are the characteristics of TFA. TFA has the ability to resist natural breakdown. So it is known as “forever chemical”.It is a member of PFAS- per or polyfluoroalkyl compounds group. The bond chemistry of TFA(CF3COOH) explains its strongest bond between Carbon and fluorine. This bond makes PFA extremely persistent in the environment. [1][2] A colourless liquid with a vinegar-like odor is the physical properties of TFA. It is not produced abiotically or biologically.The industrial preparation process is electrofluorination of acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride, followed by hydrolysis.

CH3COCl+4HF—-> CF3COF + 3H2 + HCl

CF3COF + H2O —---> CF3COOH + HF

How Does TFA Enter Rainwater?

Fluorinated refrigerant gases(HFCs,HFOs), certain pesticides,and industrial chemicals are released TFA as a breakdown product in the atmosphere.[2][3][4]

Leakage from air conditioning and refrigeration system, specific pesticides and pharmaceutical products degradation, industrial processes and wastes are the source of emissions of PFA. [1][2]

Especially sunlight degrades PFAS precursors and forms TFA in the atmosphere. Rain, snow and fog are scavenged efficiently and widely spread it across the our planet.[4][5]

Rising Levels: Global Ubiquity

Scientists measured environmental TFA levels and have found the concentration rises 5-10 fold over forty years in tree leaves of Germany [1]. Increasing data of detectable TFA have found in Arctic ice core, lakes, rivers, bottled water, fish, beer, human and animal urine and blood[1][2]The concentrations in rainwater ranging from dozens to hundreds of nanograms per liter, with some urban samples much higher (e.g., 1,500ng/L)after a dry spell in Berlin[6].

TFA concentration found at different locations 

Why Is TFA a Concern?

TFA is extremely resistant to natural degradation due to sigma bonds between Carbon and fluorine. So when it enters the surface or groundwater, it remains for decades or longer[2][3][8]. It is called forever chemicals.

PFA transport globally due to its high solubility and volatility and accumulate in remote areas, including the Arctic and deep groundwater[1][2][3].

While TFA’s bio accumulation in fat or animal tissues is not as strong as some PFAS, it does accumulate in plants. This raises concerns for food supply and agriculture, where TFA has been found in crops watered with contaminated sources[3].Animal studies suggest that the high doses of TFA can impact reproduction and liver function, but environmental levels are much lower than those causing harm in laboratory animals[1][2][3]. There is limited data of Ecotoxicological studies. Risks may be higher in isolated water bodies where concentrations rise over time[3]. Currently regulatory bodies including UNEP- United Nations Environment Program consider the risks low at present level. Environmental scientists are urging for more precaution and reduction in emissions globally because irreversible accumulation of TFA’s.[1][3]

Policy and Outlook

International agreements have moved to restrict or phase out some fluorinated precursors under efforts to save the ozone layer, but many replacements still form TFA[1].

Debate continues that some regulators and manufacturers argue levels aren’t concerning, while many environmental scientists advocate for stricter controls given TFA’s planetary persistence and the lack of reversibility[3].

References

[1] There's a new acid in our rain — should we be worried? https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02259-6

[2] The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of trifluoroacetic acid https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.4c06189

[3] The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of trifluoroacetic acid https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11562725/

[4] TFA as an atmospheric breakdown product - Fluorocarbons https://www.fluorocarbons.org/environment/environmental-impact/tfa-as-an-atmospheric-breakdown-product/

[5] Trifluoroacetate in the water cycle – Overlooked sources, pathway, and consequences for drinking water supply https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135417307996

[6] Evidence for the Formation of Difluoroacetic Acid in chlorofluorocarbon- contaminated ground water https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6471106/

[7] Rainwater trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Guangzhou, South China: Levels, wet deposition fluxes and source implication https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969713009698

[8] The global threat from the irreversible accumulation of trifluoroacetic acid https://chemrxiv.org/engage/chemrxiv/article-details/66717b9a01103d79c57ccb54

[9] Deposition and rainwater concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid in the United States from the use of HFO-1234yf https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2014JD022058

[10] Trifluoroacetic Acid: Toxicity, Sources, Sinks and Future Prospects https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/6/2382

[11] Trifluoroacetic acid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifluoroacetic_acid

[12] Insufficient evidence for the existence of natural trifluoroacetic acid https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/em/d1em00306b

Author: Dr. Bhaskarrav Makwana 

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