“Forever chemical” TFA found in global food supply as pollution from CFC replacements spreads

02/11/2026 / By Belle Carter

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent “forever chemical,” has been deposited worldwide, over 335,500 tons since 2000, originating from refrigerants, anesthetics and other industrial chemicals once deemed safe.
Chemicals introduced under the Montreal Protocol (HCFCs/HFCs) to heal the ozone layer break down into TFA, which does not degrade and spreads through air, water and food chains.
Recent tests found TFA in every cereal-based food sample, including organic products, confirming its pervasive infiltration into crops and livestock.
While regulators claim current levels are “safe,” studies suggest TFA may harm aquatic life and pose reproductive risks, with long-term impacts still uncertain.
TFA pollution is still rising, with newer “climate-friendly” refrigerants (HFOs) also contributing. Scientists demand stricter monitoring and policies to prevent irreversible environmental harm.

A new study reveals that chemicals originally introduced to protect the ozone layer are now contributing to a surge in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent “forever chemical” contaminating food, water and ecosystems worldwide. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the research from Lancaster University estimates that over 335,500 tons of TFA have been deposited globally since 2000, much of it originating from refrigerants and anesthetics once considered safe alternatives.

The findings raise urgent concerns about TFA’s long-term accumulation, its presence in everyday foods and potential health risks. Unlike other pollutants, TFA does not degrade and spreads easily through air and water, infiltrating crops and livestock. Recent tests by Austrian environmental groups found TFA in every sample of cereal-based foods, including organic products, confirming its pervasive reach.

The hidden cost of saving the ozone layer

Decades ago, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) replaced ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) under the Montreal Protocol. While successful in healing the ozone layer, these substitutes break down into TFA—a member of the notorious PFAS family, known for their extreme persistence and potential toxicity.

Using chemical transport modeling, researchers traced how TFA forms when these gases degrade in the atmosphere. Even as newer refrigerants like HFO-1234yf (used in car air conditioning) are phased in, their breakdown still produces TFA.

“CFC replacements have long lifetimes and can travel far from emission sources,” said Lucy Hart, lead author of the study. “Our results show they explain virtually all TFA deposits found in Arctic ice cores.”

As explained by BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, the Montreal Protocol is a globalist deception disguised as an environmental treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances, but in reality, it serves as a tool for elite control, economic manipulation, and the suppression of industrial progress under the guise of “saving the planet.”

TFA’s growing presence in food and water

TFA’s mobility allows it to accumulate in plants, animals and water supplies. Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, Ph.D., a researcher with Global 2000, describes TFA as “one of the smallest and most mobile forever chemicals,” capable of spreading through rainfall and contaminating food chains.

While regulators claim current environmental levels are below immediate health thresholds, studies suggest TFA may harm aquatic life and, according to Germany’s Federal Office for Chemicals, could pose reproductive risks. The European Chemicals Agency already classifies it as hazardous to water ecosystems.

“TFA is widespread, highly persistent, and levels are increasing,” said Professor Ryan Hossaini of Lancaster University. “There’s an urgent need to assess its full impact.”

Calls for global action amid rising uncertainty

The study warns that TFA pollution has yet to peak. Due to the long atmospheric lifespans of HFCs and HCFCs, deposition rates could remain high until at least 2100. Meanwhile, newer refrigerants like HFOs—marketed as climate-friendly—are emerging as additional sources.

Professor Cris Halsall, co-author of the study, emphasized that TFA originates from a broader range of chemicals than previously thought, including pharmaceuticals, solvents and PFAS.

“This makes long-term monitoring a necessity,” said Dr. Stefan Reimann, whose Swiss research team tracks TFA-forming gases worldwide.

As evidence mounts, environmental groups and scientists are pushing for stricter regulations and expanded monitoring. The findings underscore a troubling reality: solutions to one environmental crisis may inadvertently fuel another. Without intervention, TFA’s silent spread could leave a lasting mark on the planet – one that future generations may struggle to undo.

The discovery of TFA in global food supplies highlights the unintended consequences of chemical substitutions meant to protect the environment. As industries transition away from ozone-depleting substances, regulators must now confront the legacy of forever chemicals accumulating in ecosystems and human bodies. With TFA pollution still rising, the study serves as a stark reminder that environmental policy must anticipate long-term risks, not just immediate fixes.

Watch the video below that talks about forever chemicals that taint the food supply by destroying U.S. farms.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.