EFSA lowers the safe level for TFA three and a half times
The acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid falls from 0.05 to 0.014 mg per kilogram of body weight, with an acute reference dose of 0.07 mg/kg.
- The change rests on new evidence showing, among other effects, that TFA alters levels of thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.
- TFA is formed by the breakdown of some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and of active substances used in plant protection products.
- The assessment drew on member state evaluations of pesticides that may form TFA, earlier opinions of the authority, studies considered by the European Chemicals Agency, industry data and 177 comments from public consultation.
- The lower the reference value, the lower the limits of quantification required from the methods used to check water and food.