Persistent Problems

The hidden impacts of hydrofluoroolefins, the latest generation of fluorinated gases

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) have, for many decades, been used as refrigerants and in other applications such as foam blowing and fire suppression.

The first generation of F-gases were ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These were replaced with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have a lower although still significant ozone-depleting potential (ODP). The phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs also led to the uptake of a third generation of F-gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), many of which have global warming potentials (GWPs) hundreds or even thousands of times that of carbon dioxide (CO2).

As a result of the action taken under the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is recovering and emissions of climate-damaging gases are being curbed. However, as each generation of F-gases was developed, it took many years to act upon the new environmental threats they pose.

With the HFC phase-down now underway, it is important to recall this context when considering which alternatives should be used in their place. Now the fluorochemical industry is promoting a new generation of F-gases – hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).