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ACR-DEC21-PG25.qxp_Layout 1 30/11/21 09:51 Page 1


REFRIGERANTS


If it didn’t, natural TFA would have progressively accumulated over a geologic time scale. The fundamental common property of PFAS is their tendency to bioaccumulate in fatty tissues because they are strongly lipophilic – that is, ‘fat loving’. But what about anthropological TFA; does this show the same properties…can it bioaccumulate? Based on a detailed study of the scientific evidence available the 2016 UNEP report concluded not. I quote: ‘The conclusion is that the current and estimated concentrations of TFA and its salts in the environment that result from the degradation of HCFCs, HFCs and HFOs in the atmosphere do not present a risk to humans and the environment.’ In addition to HFCs and HFOs, CF2


and especially CF3 groups are found in a wide range of products,


not currently classified as PFAS. Many new drugs contain CF3


, including antivirial agents active against


AIDS and anti-depressants such as fluvoxamine. A clinical trial of the latter, a cheap drug which is also an anti-inflammatory, has just been shown to significantly to reduce hospitalisations and deaths from Covid-19.


Over the past four decades pharmaceutical chemists have found the CF3


group valuable


in optimising the activities of drugs while minimising their side effects. But many of these


molecules are anticipated to breakdown to TFA in the environment, as are the widely-used fluorinated inhalation anaesthetics, sevofluorane ((CF3


)2CHOCH2 isofluorane (CF3


F), desfluorane (CF3 CHClOCHF2


CHFOCF2 H), ). If they were to be


phased-out because of a perceived and possibly unwarranted concern over the addition of more TFA to that already naturally occurring in the environment, then the scope of doctors to treat a wide range of diseases may be unnecessarily restricted. If rational medical arguments for retaining these drugs can be advanced, the refrigeration industry could legitimately argue that the safe-at-point- of-use and environmentally low impact, fluorine- containing refrigerants presently being introduced, benefit society by enabling fresh, healthy food to be stored and transported – a benefit, of course that also applies to vaccines. Perhaps the consequences of classifying low GWP, low hazard, fluorine-containing refrigerants as PFAS has not been thought through by those promoting it – or is it a cynical attempt to achieve guilt by association for political ends? HFOs do not have the hazards associated with the PFAS, but grouping them together would facilitate legislation, especially if law makers do not appreciate the differences. I


can accept there is a certain logic in being concerned about refrigerants that are degraded to TFA in the atmosphere since it is a long-lived, albeit natural species. At a stretch, I could pedantically describe all fluorinated compounds as PFAS, so why not also include molecules containing a single fluorine atom, for example the anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone, which has saved the lives of Covid- 19 patients?


Perhaps by 2050 refrigeration and air conditioning technologies will have been developed to reduce the risks of hazardous natural chemicals such as hydrocarbons and ammonia. But until they emerge, end users will be exposed to lower risks by equipment containing HFOs – perhaps also containing CO2


.


Personally, I have no hang-ups about using blends of fluorinated and ‘natural’ refrigerants where together they can deliver good performance, low risk at point-of-use and low environmental impact. Provided these three conditions are achieved, I would also accept blends containing just ‘natural’ refrigerants. My concern is refrigerants and other valuable fluorinated compounds will be banned because of misinformed political actions.


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www.acr-news.com December 2021 25


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