An overview of environmental hazards and exposure risk of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Chemosphere. 2005 Dec;61(11):1539-47. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.03.084. Epub 2005 Jun 3.

Abstract

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are being used as replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that cause significantly stratospheric ozone depletion and global warming. HFCs under commercial uses as cleaning solvents in the electronic components, blowing agent in the foamed plastics, refrigerant in the air conditioning units and refrigerators, fire suppression agent in the fire protection, propellant in the metered dose inhalers (MDIs), and dry etching agent in the semiconductor manufacturing. Among these HFCs, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) is the most widely used one. From the environmental, ecological, and health points of view, it is urgent to mitigate and control the emissions of these HFCs from a diversity of commercial applications and industrial processes. This article aims to introduce these HFCs in commercial uses and environmental hazards (i.e., global warming, photochemical potential, flammability safety, environmental partition and ecotoxicity). Further, the updated data on the human toxicity, occupational exposure and health risk of these HFCs (esp., HFC-134a) are addressed in this review paper.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chlorofluorocarbons / analysis
  • Chlorofluorocarbons / toxicity
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Health
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Hazardous Substances*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / analysis
  • Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / toxicity*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Risk Assessment
  • Semiconductors
  • Solvents / chemistry

Substances

  • Chlorofluorocarbons
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated
  • Solvents