Aug 19, 2025 10:05 PM
https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/scient...-acid-rain
INTRO: Scientists have warned about a new kind of acid rain that is everywhere, is almost impossible to clean up, and could be a threat to every living thing on planet Earth. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – a type of persistent 'forever chemical' – is now present in every rain shower and snowfall on the planet, in concentrations far higher than decades ago
We don’t yet know exactly what TFA might mean for human health and the environment, but some researchers have now said that the chemical could be an existential threat. “There is emerging evidence that TFA can disrupt vital earth system processes, such as mammal embryo development and decreasing soil respiration,” Prof Hans Peter Arp, a chemist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told BBC Science Focus.
Arp's most recent research classified TFA as a planetary threat similar to global warming or the depletion of ozone. “We do not know the long-term consequences of this,” Arp continued. “But, if a long-term consequence occurs, it will occur on a global scale, as TFA is accumulating globally. And, once the impacts occur, it will be too late to do anything because TFA does not degrade naturally, and any technology to remove TFA is extremely costly and can only be used in small amounts.”
Arp's paper argued that action needed to be taken now to prevent the rapid accumulation of TFA, before it is identified as an urgent threat.
“In the heating and cooling sector, this means not using gases that lead to TFA formation,” said Arp. “Another step is to transition away from pesticides and pharmaceuticals that create TFA when they degrade.”
Some countries have already taken action. Leading the way is Denmark, which banned 23 pesticides in July 2025 because of their links to TFA pollution... (MORE - details)
INTRO: Scientists have warned about a new kind of acid rain that is everywhere, is almost impossible to clean up, and could be a threat to every living thing on planet Earth. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – a type of persistent 'forever chemical' – is now present in every rain shower and snowfall on the planet, in concentrations far higher than decades ago
We don’t yet know exactly what TFA might mean for human health and the environment, but some researchers have now said that the chemical could be an existential threat. “There is emerging evidence that TFA can disrupt vital earth system processes, such as mammal embryo development and decreasing soil respiration,” Prof Hans Peter Arp, a chemist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told BBC Science Focus.
Arp's most recent research classified TFA as a planetary threat similar to global warming or the depletion of ozone. “We do not know the long-term consequences of this,” Arp continued. “But, if a long-term consequence occurs, it will occur on a global scale, as TFA is accumulating globally. And, once the impacts occur, it will be too late to do anything because TFA does not degrade naturally, and any technology to remove TFA is extremely costly and can only be used in small amounts.”
Arp's paper argued that action needed to be taken now to prevent the rapid accumulation of TFA, before it is identified as an urgent threat.
“In the heating and cooling sector, this means not using gases that lead to TFA formation,” said Arp. “Another step is to transition away from pesticides and pharmaceuticals that create TFA when they degrade.”
Some countries have already taken action. Leading the way is Denmark, which banned 23 pesticides in July 2025 because of their links to TFA pollution... (MORE - details)