Confronting the global threat of emerging persistent and mobile substances that are threatening water, food and ecological resources

Water resources worldwide have become increasingly contaminated with substances that are considered persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances are associated with widespread, negative effects on the environment and human health, as well as with expensive clean-up costs in water and soil. A concern is that their production is increasingly shifting to developing countries, while regulation on their production and use is increasing in Europe and North America. Once in water, advanced water treatment methods, like ozonolysis or activated carbon filtration, are often ineffective. An exemplary case is the substance is trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). TFA is a degradation product of many refrigerants, pesticides and pharmaceuticals and is also directly released from industrial products and processes; it is now widespread and increasing rapidly in water resources. TFA has been assumed to be of little concern, in part because it was not able to bioaccumulate; however, the ubiquitous accumulation in the environment, in particular its observed accumulation in water resources and in various plants, including crops, is causing concentrations in human blood to increase with time. Recent levels in many regions have exceeded recommended exposure thresholds. At the end of the presentation solutions will be provided on how diverse actors can work together to phase out the sources of TFA, PFAS and other PMT substances, on a pathway towards zero pollution.