Researchers at the New Jersey Institute of Technology found an overlooked "forever chemical" in 64 of 70 tap water samples collected across all 21 New Jersey counties, raising new questions about how these persistent contaminants are monitored in drinking water.
Among bottled products, researchers found trifluoroacetic acid, or TFA, in 34 of 43 beverages tested, and some electrolyte waters and sports drinks showed much higher readings than plain bottled water, per NJIT.
Here's what to know
Routine PFAS checks have centered on PFOA and PFOS, leaving ultra-short-chain PFAS largely outside standard monitoring.
This project is the first statewide U.S. effort focused on that subset of chemicals, per NJIT.
In total, the researchers screened 113 samples — 43 commercially sold bottled drinks and 70 tap-water samples — for five ultra-short-chain PFAS. They found TFA most often.
Standard monitoring does a poorer job of picking up TFA, as Siwei Gu, a postdoctoral researcher in NJIT's Emerging Contaminants Research Laboratory and the study's lead author, explained.
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"It is much smaller in molecular size, highly soluble in water, and does not bind strongly to many filter materials that work well for capturing traditional PFAS," Gu said.
Where TFA was present in tap water, the median concentration was 352 nanograms per liter.
Researchers also reported elevated county averages in parts of North Jersey, including Essex, Hudson, and Bergen.
More background
Packaged beverages showed some of the biggest gaps within the dataset.
On average, the 12 formulated drinks contained about 52 times more TFA than the 31 bottled waters, and one sports drink or electrolyte water sample reached 94,100 nanograms per liter.
That top beverage measurement exceeded the highest tap water result, which was 1,360 nanograms per liter.
"One possible explanation is that ingredients used in these beverages or certain manufacturing processes may be contributing to the elevated TFA concentrations," said Gu.
"However, we did not analyze individual ingredients or investigate the manufacturing processes, so we cannot definitively identify the sources of TFA in these products."
Widespread detection can point to areas where regulators, utilities, and manufacturers may need stronger testing, greater transparency, and closer scrutiny.
What's being done?
Researchers framed the study as an initial statewide look rather than a full accounting of TFA exposure in New Jersey.
They noted that additional sampling will be necessary to follow changes over time and understand why levels vary by location.
The results also underscore a problem for utilities: common PFAS treatments, including granular activated carbon and ion-exchange resins, generally do not remove TFA as well as many longer-chain PFAS. Measuring it consistently also depends on specialized testing methods.
At NJIT, the Emerging Contaminants Research Laboratory is already pursuing removal methods, including pretreatment steps designed to help activated carbon capture PFAS that are otherwise difficult to trap.
Future work is expected to widen monitoring beyond New Jersey, examine possible TFA sources, and compare levels across drinking-water systems and treatment setups.
The larger aim is to combine better detection with treatment technology that is both more effective and more affordable for utilities.
The researchers emphasized that the takeaway is a need for more monitoring, not panic.
"I think it is important for consumers to understand that detecting a chemical in drinking water or beverages does not necessarily mean there is an immediate health risk," said Arjun Venkatesan, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at NJIT.
"The potential health implications depend on the concentration, frequency of exposure, and how much of the chemical is consumed over time."
Where can I learn more?
These stories take a closer look at the broader problem: PFAS and TFA are turning up in bottled drinks, tap water, and the wider water system. They cover FDA testing, possible health impacts from PFAS exposure, and wastewater pathways that carry these chemicals downstream.
• FDA testing at retail locations found PFAS in bottled water sold across the United States
• In U.S. tap systems, PFAS exposure has been linked to drinking water and cancer rates that demand more research.
• Wastewater systems are becoming a pathway for forever chemicals from medications to reach drinking water.
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