Study on environmental and health effects of HFO refrigerants REF:972

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's), used as refrigerants and in other applications, are potent greenhouse gases with a global warming potential (GWP up to 1000 times greater than carbon dioxide).  Hydrofluoroolefins (HFO's) are an alternative to HFC's and have zero ozone depleting potential and a low GWP.  The study will look at HFO's and their degradation products, summarise chemical processes related to atmospheric fate, assess degradation products most likely to be formed as well as impurities that can contribute to pollutant emissions.  It will also summarise current scientific knowledge regarding the effects of HFO's and their degradation products on health and the environment, followed by a risk assessment for the period 2030-2100 regarding likely emissions of key compounds of interest.