DCRR - Denquin & Ciatti Refrigeration Reglementary
Tony Ciatti
24 janvier 2025
15:59

PFAS from Refrigerants in Drinking Water

PFAS in drinking water

Introduction

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever pollutants”, have recently attracted increasing attention due to their persistent presence in the environment, particularly in drinking water.

These substances are used in a variety of industries, including refrigerants. Their non-biodegradable nature and potential to contaminate water resources have concerning consequences for public health.

In this article, we will explore in depth the risks associated with PFAS, particularly TFA (trifluoroacetic acids), their presence in refrigerants, and the French regulations that seek to limit their impact on drinking water.

1. What are PFAS and TFA?

PFAS are a group of more than 4,000 synthetic chemicals used in many products due to their unique properties. These substances are:

Which makes them useful in products such as:

TFA: a concerning sub-category

Among PFAS, TFA (trifluoroacetic acids) are specific compounds that form during the degradation of refrigerants.

TFA are particularly concerning due to:

TFA can be found in:

Which makes them extremely difficult to eliminate once present.

Watch the video to understand PFAS forever pollutants – France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

2. Risks of PFAS in drinking water

The contamination of drinking water by PFAS, particularly TFA, poses serious concerns for public health.

Health effects

These substances are known for their potential toxicity, notably due to their ability to accumulate in the human body. Studies have linked PFAS to:

Regulatory monitoring

In the European Union and France, health authorities closely monitor PFAS levels in drinking water resources.

Although PFAS concentrations in drinking water are often low, their long-term persistence in the environment represents a growing risk.

Monitoring PFAS in the environment – Prefectures-Regions.Gouv.Fr

Concentration thresholds

In France, concentration thresholds have been established to limit exposure to PFAS, but regulations are still in development.

Refrigerants are a major source of TFA contamination in the environment via PFAS. Leaks, spills, and degradation of these fluids in refrigeration systems can release TFA into water.

PFAS and water intended for human consumption – Sante.Gouv.Fr

Refrigerants, used in refrigeration systems, are largely responsible for the presence of TFA in the environment via PFAS.

Affected refrigerants

Some of the most commonly used refrigerants contain PFAS compounds that, when degraded, release TFA into the environment:

These refrigerants are used in a variety of applications:

Environmental accumulation

Although the amount of TFA generated by these fluids is low for some, their accumulation over time in ecosystems can have a significant impact.

For example, R1234YF, a next-generation refrigerant, produces TFA in concentrations estimated between 50 and 150 µg/L in the environment for each kilogram of fluid.

These values are relatively low, but the persistence of TFA in the environment makes it a long-term problem due to PFAS compounds in refrigerants.

Impact of PFAS and refrigerants

4. French and European regulations on PFAS and refrigerants

In response to growing concerns about PFAS contamination, France and the European Union have implemented several regulations to limit their impact.

REACH Regulation

The European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation is one of the main regulatory tools aimed at reducing the use of hazardous chemicals, including PFAS.

National PFAS Action Plan

In France, the Ministry of Ecological Transition has issued recommendations to limit the use of PFAS, particularly in refrigerants.

The National PFAS Action Plan aims to reduce contamination by these substances in:

This plan includes measures to reduce PFAS emissions from refrigerants and other industrial chemicals.

Interministerial PFAS Action Plan – Ecologie.Gouv.fr

This plan, which relies on existing scientific expertise and European and international expert bodies (WHO), defines the Government’s doctrine to reduce the risks associated with PFAS as quickly as possible.

Order of June 20, 2023

ICPE and PFAS – Order of June 20, 2023 relating to the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aqueous discharges from facilities classified for environmental protection subject to the authorization regime.

Better understand PFAS, their effects, applicable texts – developpement-durable.gouv.fr

5. How to limit the impact of refrigerants on the environment and drinking water?

To limit the impact of refrigerants (PFAS & TFA) on the environment and drinking water, several measures can be taken at different levels.

Recommendations

1. Improved refrigerant monitoring

2. Use of less harmful refrigerants Prioritize fluids with low TFA formation potential:

3. Regular water quality monitoring

4. Strengthening leak controls

6. Conclusion

PFAS and TFA represent a persistent threat to the environment and human health.

Although refrigerants contribute to their presence in drinking water, adequate regulations and management processes can reduce their impact.

By monitoring TFA levels and adopting safer alternatives, we can:

To learn more about PFAS in refrigerants and their impact, consult DCRR’s article on PFAS.

Additional resources

Discover our other articles on regulations:

Watch our presentation video of the cDESP tool

Source: The DCRR team

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