The impact of F-gases on the environment

In 1977, the world plan of action on the ozone layer was adopted, leading to a rigorous monitoring of the ozone layer and a scientific assessement of its depletion. The effects of the ozone depletion on human health and the eocsystems started to be monitored.

The manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which are both gases widely used at the time as refrigerants and propellants, started to be phased down.

The use of CFC and HFCF was phased out by the Montreal protocol. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) replaced CFC gases as refrigerant and propellant gases.

Even if HFC gases do no impact the ozone layer, they act as greenhouse gases and thus contribute to global warning.

In 2016 the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal protocol institutued a phase down of HFC gases.

The EU F-gas regulation aims at reducing the use og F-gases by two thirds of the 2014 levels by 2030.

In response to these new regulations, hydrofluoroolefins (HFO) gases started to be promoted as low global warming potential gases.

However, HFO have been implicated in the pollution of drinking and rain water.