chlorofluorocarbons
( CFCs )
were blamed for the
depletion of the earth’s
ozone layer.
( aka "the ozone hole" ).
As a result, CFCs,
and a related class
of refrigerants, HCFCs,
were phased out under
the United Nations’
1987 Montreal Protocol
on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer
( aka "Montreal Protocol" ).
The U.S. ratified the
Montreal Protocol, and
also included CFC and
HCFC restrictions in the
1990 Clean Air Act
Amendments.
HFCs became the leading
substitute refrigerants
used in most home
air conditioners and
refrigerators, nearly all
vehicle air conditioners,
refrigeration equipment
in supermarkets and
restaurants, and the
air-conditioning for
commercial properties.
But now, many
environmental
organizations
have soured
on HFCs,
blaming them
for contributing
to climate change.
They are joined
by manufacturers
of expensive
substitute
refrigerants
and equipment
designed to run
on them.
One substitute,
called HFO-1234yf
—under patent
by Honeywell and
Chemours—
would replace
HFC-134a,
which currently
dominates in car
air conditioners.
HFC restrictions
were added to the
Montreal Protocol
in 2016.
But the U.S.
has not yet
ratified them.
Legislation has
been introduced
in both the House
and Senate to restrict
hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs) currently used
in most air conditioning
and refrigeration systems.
Some scientists
believe that one
of the leading
substitutes for HFCs,
HFO-1234yf (HFO).
may be a toxin.
A paper published in
Geophysical Research
Letters finds that HFCs
break down in the
environment into
potentially dangerous
trifluoroacetic acid
( TFA ).
But HFOs are
even worse
in that regard.
It concludes that
“Replacement
of (HFC) HFC‐134a
with the short‐lived
hydrofluoroolefin
(HFO) HFO‐1234yf
as the coolant in
mobile air conditioners
will lead to an increase
in TFA deposition.”
Concerns over
TFA deposition
effects on climate
ARE overstated.
But HFO-1234yf
costs nearly 10 times
more than the currently
used HFC-134a !
That would
be a huge
cost increase
for consumers !