**Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemical Detected in Five Welsh Rivers, Raising Health Concerns**
Traces of a persistent chemical, known as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), have been identified in five rivers across Wales, prompting renewed scrutiny over water safety and environmental health. The findings, emerging from a study led by researchers at the University of York, suggest that this substance is present in nearly every river tested across the UK, with only one exception.
TFA is part of a family of synthetic compounds often described as “forever chemicals.” These pollutants, also referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known for their remarkable resistance to natural degradation. Once introduced into the environment, they linger for decades, accumulating in water sources, plants, wildlife, and eventually, the human body.
The dangers surrounding PFAS chemicals, and TFA in particular, are increasingly under the microscope of scientists and regulatory bodies. While the precise threat level to humans remains an area of active research, some experts urge precaution. German scientists, having documented effects on animal reproduction, are advocating for TFA to be formally classified as toxic to reproductive health and hazardous to ecosystems.
TFA can arise in the environment when other industrial chemicals—often used in pesticides or refrigerants—break down. Professor Alistair Boxall from the University of York, who spearheaded the recent study, remarked to the BBC, “This molecule is everywhere. We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day – so we’ll be exposed throughout our lifetime. It’s that long-term, low-level exposure that is the big concern.” The pervasiveness of TFA means the general population is routinely exposed, even if only in small amounts.
The research, supported by the environmental charity Fidra, analysed river samples from across Wales, as well as multiple sites in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. The highest concentrations were discovered in the River Kelvin near Glasgow, with the River Ness being the sole site not to reveal traces of TFA. In Wales, all five rivers sampled showed the presence of the contaminant, echoing findings from across Europe, where TFA has been detected not only in waterways but in food, wine, human blood, and even breast milk.
European agencies are already responding to these discoveries. The German Federal Environment Agency has applied to the European Chemicals Agency seeking to have TFA officially recognised as a substance posing reproductive toxicity and environmental harm. Meanwhile, the president of Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Andreas Hensel, has stated that there are currently no known adverse health effects from consuming TFA-contaminated food or water but emphasised that proactive classification is vital to guide future protections.
Despite this mounting evidence, the UK currently has no binding regulations controlling the levels of TFA either in drinking water or in the environment. This regulatory gap is causing concern among water safety campaigners and health experts. Water UK, the body representing the nation’s water suppliers, has called for a ban on PFAS chemicals—including TFA—and is urging for a comprehensive national strategy to address their removal, suggesting that the cost of clean-up should fall on manufacturing industries.
In the wake of public concern and escalating research data, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which oversees water safety in England and Wales, has initiated its own study to determine the concentrations of TFA in drinking water and to assess the potential risks. Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector at the Inspectorate, pointed out, “It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources.”
The growing attention on forever chemicals like TFA is sparking a broader debate about how modern society balances industrial progress with long-term health and ecological impacts. As more data is gathered, both environmental groups and the public will be looking closely at how authorities respond to this emerging challenge.
For now, Welsh communities and others across the UK are being advised to remain aware but not alarmed, as regulatory evidence gathering and scientific investigation continue. The extent to which TFA may impact long-term health remains to be fully understood, but pressure is mounting for stronger oversight and preventative measures to ensure the nation’s rivers—and drinking water—are safeguarded for future generations.