A disturbing discovery has been found by European scientists.
A popular beverageOne that is generally thought to be pure contains potentially dangerous substances.
According to The Hill, a recent research by Pesticide Action Network Europe revealed that mineral water supplied throughout Europe contains residues of substances that scientists believe to be permanent pollutants.
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a very tiny, very mobile, water-soluble compound that does not break down naturally, was particularly found to be contaminating 10 out of 19 detected mineral water brands, according to the investigation that was released last month. As The Hill points out, TFA is regarded by many in the scientific community as a forever chemical even if it is not formally classified as one in the United States or Europe.
Leading experts believe that TFA poses a threat to the planetary boundary due to its growing exposure at the planetary scale, where it may have irreversible disruptive effects on essential earth system functions, the report continues.
The research emphasizes how this is a particularly noteworthy concern because, according to the legislation, mineral water must come from underground sources that are presumed to be impervious to contamination hazards because it is originally pure.
Similarly, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that mineral water originate from a geologically and physically protected subsurface water source that is tapped at one or more bore holes or springs.
Due to their widespread use in products used and consumed in daily life—from food packaging to, of course, beverages—as well as their potential negative health effects, forever chemicals have gained a lot of attention in recent years.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to specific concentrations of these chemicals may impair or postpone a child’s development and raise their risk of developing specific types of cancer.
As a result, Pesticide Action Network Europe emphasizes the need of consumers being mindful of what they consume. Therefore, among other things, the group is urging immediate prohibitions on any materials that could contaminate drinking water and groundwater in Europe with TFA.
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