Trifluoroacetic acid in the environment: Consensus, gaps, and next steps

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a persistent, water-soluble compound primarily produced by atmospheric degradation of CFC replacements, sparking scientific debate about its environmental sources, fate, and potential ecological risks. While current research suggests TFA concentrations in oceans remain below toxic thresholds for aquatic and terrestrial organisms, key uncertainties persist regarding natural and anthropogenic sources, regional distribution patterns, and long-term marine ecosystem impacts. Scientists recommend further research, including comprehensive production inventories, advanced atmospheric-hydrological modeling, expanded ocean measurements, and more extensive marine toxicity testing to definitively understand TFA's environmental behavior and potential ecological consequences.

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Author Hanson, M. L.
Madronich, Sasha
Solomon, K.
Sulbaek Andersen, M. P.
Wallington, T. J.
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2024-10-01T00:00:00
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2025-07-10T19:58:25.547592
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:42294
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Hanson, M. L., Madronich, Sasha, Solomon, K., Sulbaek Andersen, M. P., Wallington, T. J.. (2024). Trifluoroacetic acid in the environment: Consensus, gaps, and next steps. UCAR/NCAR - Library. https://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7gq732h. Accessed 04 August 2025.

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