Swiss groundwater is contaminated by PFAS, perennial pollutants. Among them, trifluoroacetic acid, or TFA, is very present, especially in the plains, according to the Federal Office for the Environment. If the FOEN had not specified the most affected areas, RTSinfo reveals this information obtained thanks to the transparency law.
Trifluoroacetic acid, or TFA, is a man-made chemical. It belongs to the PFAS family, these so-called “eternal” pollutants because they do not degrade in the environment. TFA comes primarily from two sources: refrigeration products and certain pesticides. This explains its high concentration in groundwater in lowland regions, where agriculture is dominant.
Problematic microscopic size
The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) confirms that TFA is, according to current knowledge, the most widespread artificial chemical substance in Swiss groundwater. His main problem? We don’t know how to eliminate it. Its microscopic size considerably complicates its treatment.
The toxicity of this substance remains under evaluation, in particular by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, some studies already indicate reproductive risks and effects on the liver in the event of excessive exposure.
A problem that goes beyond Switzerland
TFA is attracting increasing attention in Europe, where more and more investigations are revealing the extent of the pollution. Switzerland is no exception to this observation: of the 516 measuring stations studied by the FOEN, 507 show traces of TFA. Thanks to the RTSinfo data team, a map of the areas concerned was produced.
In Switzerland, no maximum threshold is currently set for the TFA. However, researchers estimate that 2.2 micrograms per liter should not be exceeded to protect health. By applying this criterion, 22 groundwater stations would exceed this limit. Among the sites concerned are Montmagny and Granges-près-Marnand in the canton of Vaud, Avusy in Geneva, and Saint-Léonard in Valais. The highest level was detected in Basel-Landschaft.
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It should be clarified that this is groundwater and not tap water. However, groundwater is an essential source of drinking water in Switzerland. A participatory survey carried out by the RTS show On en parole shows that TFA is already widely present in tap water in French-speaking Switzerland.
>> Listen or re-listen to the show We’re talking about it on the question:
Reactions still timid
For the moment, reactions remain timid. WWF calls for a ban on pesticides containing TFA in Switzerland. Currently, nine pesticides of this type are authorized, and according to Tamedianew products containing TFA were approved for agriculture at the end of October.
In the Federal Parliament, two interpellations filed by a Green elected official call, among other things, for a ban on TFA-based pesticides.
Camille Lanci/Valentin Tombez
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