Should the trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) be reclassified?

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is currently classified as “not relevant” by the European authorities, which is criticized by the European Pesticide Action Network and its members due to the persistence of this substance in the environment and the challenges associated with this acid. DP MP Gusty Graas asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity whether he would support a re-evaluation of the classification of TFA at European level, what measures are planned to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of TFA in Luxembourg waters, and what initiatives are planned to promote research and the development of effective methods to reduce the presence of TFA in Luxembourg drinking water sources.

Question

Le Réseau européen d’action sur les pesticides (PAN) et ses membres ont récemment rapporté sur la contamination des eaux européennes par l’acide trifluoroacétique (TFA). Il s’agit de révélations préoccupantes. L’analyse, menée par le Centre technologique de l’eau de Karlsruhe, indique que tous les échantillons d’eau de surface et souterraine provenant de dix pays de l’UE contiennent du TFA, avec des concentrations atteignant jusqu’à 3.300 ng/l, bien au-delà des niveaux acceptables selon les propositions de la directive européenne sur l’eau potable. Selon le rapport, la concentration de TFA dépasse les 1.000 ng/l dans l’Alzette et plus de 900 ng/l pour l’ensemble des eaux souterraines du pays.

Le TFA provient de la dégradation des PFAS et est présent dans divers produits industriels et agricoles. Il est actuellement classé comme “non pertinent” par les autorités européennes, ce qui le soustrait aux seuils de régulation imposés à d’autres substances chimiques. Cette classification est critiquée par le Réseau européen d’action sur les pesticides et ses membres en raison de la persistance de cette substance dans l’environnement et des défis liés à son élimination par les méthodes de traitement de l’eau potable conventionnelles.

Dans ce contexte, j’aimerais poser les questions suivantes à Monsieur le Ministre de l’Environnement, du Climat et de la Biodiversité :

1. Monsieur le Ministre soutiendra-t-il une réévaluation de la classification du TFA au niveau européen pour garantir une meilleure protection de la santé publique et de l’environnement?

2. Quelles mesures envisage-t-il de prendre pour renforcer la surveillance et la régulation de la présence du TFA dans les eaux de surface et souterraines du Luxembourg?

3. Quelles initiatives sont prévues pour promouvoir la recherche et le développement de méthodes efficaces afin de diminuer la présence de TFA dans les sources d’eau potable luxembourgeoises ? 

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