AN UPDATE ON FLUOROCARBONS

EFCTC COMMENT ON STUDY ON TFA IN RIVERS IN GERMANY AND RIVERS AS SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER

A recent scientific paper [1] describes a comprehensive study on the quantities of trifluoroacetate (TFA) found in major rivers across Germany. Following this study, it has been claimed that HFO-1234yf has possible negative consequences for the production of drinking water. However, currently HFO-1234yf is at most an insignificant contributor to the quantities…

EFCTC COMMENT ON TRAJECTORIES OF THE EARTH SYSTEM IN THE ANTHROPOCENE AND HFC PHASE-DOWN

The recent study, Trajectories of the Earth System in the Anthropocene, widely reported as ‘Hothouse Earth’ emphasises the need to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions as one of the measures that could steer the Earth System onto a ‘Stabilized Earth’ trajectory. This includes the reduction in production of chemicals such as HFCs. EFCTC supports the Kigali…

EU SATELLITE RELEASES FIRST DATA ON AIR POLLUTANTS: US EPA EXEMPTS HFO-1336mzz(Z) FROM VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC) REGULATION

The first data on air pollutants from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite have been released. These first maps show a range of trace gases that affect air quality such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. These new data also show the closing of the ozone hole during 2017. Launched on 13 October…

CHILLING PROSPECTS: PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE COOLING FOR ALL

The new “Chilling Prospects: Providing Sustainable Cooling for All” report outlines recommendations on how to increase access to affordable and sustainable cooling solutions throughout the world. As air conditioning and refrigeration is re-engineered for alternative chemicals, another issue will be to optimize the energy efficiency of cooling equipment to minimize the expected increase in demand…

IN BRIEF: MONITORING FLUOROCARBON EMISSIONS AND LINKING TO SOURCES

Following the recent report on a rise in CFC-11 emissions in Asia, here is a brief explanation of how fluorocarbon emissions are linked to sources. For many years atmospheric monitoring stations around the globe have collected air samples and analysed them for a whole range of pollutants including fluorocarbons, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide…

NEW ON FLUOROCARBONS.ORG SEPTEMBER 2018

• REVISED and updated table of major fluorocarbon molecules. Find it here.
• NEW IN OUR LIBRARY
  TEAP Decision XXIX/10 Task Force Report on issues related to energy efficiency while phasing down hydrofluorocarbons, May 2018. Decision XXIX/10 requested an assessment in relation to maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency…