Orsolya Albert
January 29th, 2021

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Well, well … what’s in the well (photo: Pixabay)

A mass screening of groundwater in Denmark has shown traces of the harmful chemical trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

The Danish Agency for Patient Safety has assessed the findings do not constitute as a health risk to the population, but demanded all municipalities examine their drinking water to be safe.

A high concentration of the substance has also been found in German rainwater, which led Danish authorities to assess its own water resources.

This was the first time such an extensive measure has been carried out – TFA was found in 219 of 247 samples.

READ ALSO: Almost all food products in Denmark adhere to pesticide standards

Multiple possible origins
The Environmental Protection Agency stated that the chemical has been found globally from various sources, such as from the atmosphere via rainwater or from other fluorochemicals.

This constitutes a challenge that Denmark can’t tackle alone and international co-operation is required within the EU.

To handle it locally, the Environment Ministry has already launched an action plan to ensure better protection of drinking water from harmful pesticides.

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The corona effect: Long-term unemployment doubles in one year
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