How Harmful Is TFA?
A large and growing number of studies have reported the rapid proliferation in the environment of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a by-product of certain f-gases in the atmosphere (notably HFO-1234yf) as well as the breakdown of certain pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other chemicals. This begs the question: how harmful is TFA to human beings? TFA is an ultrashort-chain […]
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Two Studies Confirm that HFO-1234ze(E) Breaks Down into Some HFC-23 in the Atmosphere
Two recent studies have confirmed that HFO-1234ze(E), a commonly used ultra-low-GWP replacement for HFCs, breaks down in the atmosphere to produce a small amount of HFC-23, which has one of the greatest global warming impacts. The two studies are “Fluoroform (CHF3) Production from CF3CHO Photolysis and Implications for the Decomposition of Hydrofluoroolefins and Hydrochlorofluoroolefins in […]
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PFAS a growing concern for the HVAC&R industry
The Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating recently hosted a critical online event, “PFAS: A Growing Concern in the HVAC&R Industry,” featuring renowned industry expert Professor Michael Kauffeld. The event focused on the escalating concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) within the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration […]
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Maine to Ban Sale of PFAS Refrigerants and PFAS-Containing HVAC&R Equipment in 2040
Unlike the U.S. EPA, Maine defines PFAS to include some fluorinated refrigerants, including TFA-producing HFO-1234yf. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not consider f-gases or their degradation product trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to be part of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), or forever chemicals, a category of environmental pollutants. However, the state of Maine takes […]
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ATMO Europe: NatRefs Expert Kauffeld Predicts HFOs Have 8 Years Left
In eight years – by the end of 2032 – HFOs, the latest generation of fluorinated refrigerants, will no longer be a viable refrigerant option, following their predecessors HFCs, HCFCs and CFCs into the dustbin of history, predicted Michael Kauffeld, Professor at the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Environmental Engineering […]
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University of Illinois Researchers Develop Economical Way to Remove TFA from Water
Researchers from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have developed an electrochemical process designed to economically remove up to 86% of ultrashort-chain PFAS trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an f-gas byproduct, as well as long-chain PFAS from water intended for human consumption. A study describing the process – “Integrating redox-electrodialysis and electrosorption for the removal of ultrashort- to long-chain […]
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New Study Calls F-Gas Byproduct TFA a ‘Planetary Boundary Threat’
Produced in the atmosphere from HFO-1234yf and other f-gases, trifluoroacetic acid is an omnipresent PFAS with potentially irreversible disruptive effects, the study says. A new study makes the case that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an atmospheric byproduct of HFO1234yf and other f-gases, meets the criteria of a “planetary boundary threat” because of increasing planetary-scale exposure, where […]
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