A little-watched forever chemical, TFA, was found in over 91% of New Jersey tap water samples, researchers report.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology team also found it in nearly 80% of bottled beverages tested.

They screened 70 tap samples from all 21 counties and 43 bottled drinks, calling it the first such statewide US study.

TFA appeared in every county, with a median of 352 nanograms per litre where it was detected.

Formulated drinks averaged about 52 times more TFA than plain bottled water.

Some electrolyte waters and sports drinks were highest, topping out at 94,100 nanograms per litre.

TFA is tiny and water-soluble, so it slips past filters that capture better-known PFAS like PFOA and PFOS.

New Jersey’s strict PFAS rules do not cover TFA, and the study did not assess health effects.

Read the full article for more details on TFA forever chemicals in New Jersey water.