Very High PFAS Levels Found in Mineral Water: What You Should Know About TFA

A recent Greenpeace study has raised new concerns about the safety of bottled mineral water sold in Europe. According to findings shared by Safe Food Advocacy Europe, 12 out of 16 popular mineral water brands tested in Italy and Germany contained very high levels of short-chain PFAS, especially TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) — sometimes exceeding safe limits by more than 20 times.

What Exactly Are PFAS and TFA?

You might have heard of PFAS — they’re often called “forever chemicals” because they hardly ever break down in the environment. PFAS have been used for decades in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof clothing and firefighting foams.

TFA (trifluoroacetic acid) is a type of short-chain PFAS. It’s formed when some industrial PFAS compounds break down in the air or water. Because TFA is highly mobile, it easily dissolves and spreads through rain, rivers, and groundwater — and eventually ends up in the water we drink.

What the Study Found

Greenpeace analyzed mineral water from well-known brands across Italy and Germany and discovered that most samples contained TFA — and not just traces:

• 12 of 16 samples tested positive for high levels of TFA

• Some contained over 700 nanograms per liter (ng/L) — far above the 500 ng/L benchmark used by some national safety standards

• The results show that even natural mineral water is not immune to modern chemical pollution

This isn’t about one brand or one country — it’s a sign of how far PFAS pollution has spread in our environment.

Why This Matters

PFAS compounds, including TFA, have been linked in studies to several potential health risks, such as:

• Effects on the immune system

• Hormonal and reproductive disruptions

• Increased risk of certain cancers with long-term exposure

While TFA itself is less studied than some longer-chain PFAS, its growing presence in drinking water is worrying — especially since there are no EU-wide legal limits specifically for TFA yet.

The study also highlights how chemical industry lobbying has delayed tighter regulations on PFAS, even as scientists and environmental groups call for urgent action.

What Can Be Done

Experts and advocacy groups are urging the European Union to:

• Apply the existing 500 ng/L PFAS limit to TFA in drinking water

• Introduce EU-wide testing and monitoring for short-chain PFAS

• Speed up efforts to phase out PFAS production and use across industries

What You Can Do

1. Stay informed. Check whether your local or national authorities publish PFAS or TFA levels in water reports.

2. Filter your water. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis units — can reduce PFAS in tap water.

3. Ask questions. Contact your water supplier or the bottled water brands you buy. Transparency should be the standard, not the exception.

4. Support clean water policies. Advocate for stronger environmental protections and stricter PFAS limits in Europe.

   
   

The Bottom Line

This new study is a wake-up call: PFAS contamination is more widespread than many realize, and even trusted mineral water brands can contain high levels of these “forever chemicals.”