A significant portion of European drinking water has been found to contain "forever chemicals," highlighting a growing global concern about water safety and the potential impacts on the drilling industry, according to a coalition of non-governmental organizations.
The European Pesticide Action Network (PAN Europe) and its members conducted a study in May that revealed "alarming" levels of PFAS chemicals in Europe's rivers, lakes, and groundwater. These substances are used widely in everyday items such as cosmetics, non-stick pans, and fire extinguishers, and they are highly durable and can take centuries to break down.
The latest study, which tested bottled and tap water samples from 11 EU countries, detected the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a degradation product of PFAS used in synthetic pesticides and refrigeration systems. TFA was found in 34 out of 36 tap water samples and 12 out of 19 bottled water samples, with some levels exceeding proposed safety thresholds.
The findings have raised concerns about the potential health impacts of TFA and other PFAS chemicals, which are not yet fully understood due to limited toxicological studies. The Water Technology Centre in Karlsruhe, Germany, found TFA values in tap water ranging from undetectable to 4,100 nanograms per liter (ng/L), with an average of 740 ng/L. Mineral and spring waters showed TFA values from undetectable to 3,200 ng/L, with an average of 278 ng/L.
PAN Europe supports the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment's proposal to set a safety standard for TFA at 2,200 ng/L, allowing the consumption of drinking water to fulfill only 20 percent of the tolerable daily intake. This threshold was exceeded in several samples, including tap water from Paris and bottled water from Austria.
Under European Union regulations, by 2026, all drinking water must not exceed 500 ng/L for all PFAS. However, NGOs are calling for TFA to be added to this list. The earlier classification of TFA as "non-relevant" under EU pesticide regulations is considered "regrettable" given the chemical's uncertain toxicological profile. A recent study on rabbits exposed to TFA showed birth defects, raising further concerns.
PAN Europe urges immediate action, including a rapid ban on PFAS pesticides and reevaluating the threats posed by individual chemicals like TFA. The contamination of drinking water in Europe underscores the critical need for robust water management practices globally, particularly for water well drillers who must be vigilant about potential contaminants and the implications for water rights and public health.
