Trifluoroacetate (TFA) is a very persistent and highly mobile substance that can accumulate in certain environmental compartments. TFA cannot be removed using conventional water treatment methods. Although, according to current knowledge, the acute toxicity of TFA is low, inputs of TFA into water bodies should be avoided as far as possible.

In this project Germany-wide TFA pollution and its sources were analysed spatially and quantitatively across Germany in order to estimate the contribution of the various possible input pathways. In this way, a technically sound basis is provided for coordinated, effective and consistent mitigation and consistent mitigation measures.