Scientists have raised alarm over a new type of acid rain that is virtually impossible to remove and could endanger life on Earth. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent ‘forever chemical’, is now present in virtually every rainfall and snowfall worldwide, with concentrations far higher than those recorded decades ago.
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The precise risks of TFA to human health and ecosystems remain uncertain, but some experts warn it could pose an existential threat.
“There is emerging evidence that TFA can disrupt critical earth system processes, such as mammalian embryo development and soil respiration,” explained Prof Hans Peter Arp, a chemist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Arp’s recent research classifies TFA as a planetary threat on a scale comparable to global warming or ozone depletion. He cautioned that, once widespread impacts occur, the chemical’s persistence would make mitigation extremely difficult and costly.
TFA arises from multiple sources, including refrigerants, aerosols, pesticides, air conditioning units, landfills, and sewage. Larger PFAS chemicals can also degrade into TFA. Because of its small size, TFA dissolves readily in water, making it one of the most pervasive forever chemicals. It is now detected in rain, rivers, lakes, groundwater, oceans, vegetation, food, and even human blood and urine.
Some countries have begun taking preventive measures. Denmark, for instance, banned 23 pesticides in July 2025 due to their links to TFA pollution. Although TFA passes through the human body more quickly than other PFAS chemicals, Prof Arp warned that recent evidence shows increasing levels in humans, other animals, and the environment.
Efforts are underway to remove TFA from ecosystems, such as using crops to absorb the chemical and then incinerating them at very high temperatures.
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“Further research is essential to determine the true threat level,” said Arp. “In the meantime, the priority must be to reduce emissions before irreversible global impacts occur.”
This research highlights the urgent need for international action to curb the spread of this ubiquitous and persistent chemical.
