1/9/25: Trifluoroacetic Acid in Australian Human Urine Samples
Derek C. G. Muir, Finnian Freeling*, Sandra Nilsson*, Boris Bugsel, Karl Bowles, Peter Hobson, Leisa-Maree Toms, Jochen F. Mueller
ABSTRACT: Trifluoroaceticacid (TFA), a terminal degradation
product of numerous industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
pesticides, has been shown to be increasing in concentration in
environmental media. However, very limited information is
available on levels and trends in humans. TFA was analyzed in
deidentified pathology urine samples from Australia, which were
pooled by collection year, age, and sex using a direct-injection ion
chromatography method. TFA was detected in all samples (n=70
pools, 6040 individuals), ranging from3.4 to300μg/L, with a
median of 24μg/L. Significantly higher concentrations were found
in older (>45−60and>60years) compared to younger groups
(>5−45 years). Concentrations increased with age in children
(from<1 to<5years).Mean concentrations from>5 to>60years for 2012/2013, 2014/2015, and 2020/2021 did not differ
significantly, suggesting that exposures have not changed over that period. The high detection frequency and relatively high
concentrations found in this study indicate high chronic exposure to TFA in Australia, consistent with ubiquitous TFA in food,
household dust, and drinking water reported in other countries. Many questions remain regarding trends over longer periods,
variations with age, and sources of TFA exposure.