Michael Torrice

2 weeks ago | cen.acs.org | Michael Torrice

Trifluoroacetic acid is a contaminant that likes to move around. Scientists have found the chemical, known as TFA, in the deep ocean, in the Arctic, in plants, and in our blood. TFA also doesn't biodegrade, so it persists in the environment. But unlike many other persistent pollutants, TFA has few direct sources. Most comes from reactions involving other contaminants. Shira Joudan identifies and studies these reactions to find out exactly where TFA is coming from.