UNEP report: CF₃I fosters ozone depletion

Short-lived halogenated substances will have a higher impact on ozone depletion than previously assessed, according to a new UN Environment Programme report. This will make the use of chemical refrigerants, such as Fluid H, more unlikely.

The role of very short-lived halogenated substances in stratospheric ozone depletion is now believed to be of greater importance than past analyses suggested. A significant anthropogenic production of such substances will further enhance ozone depletion.

While previous analyses had suggested an upper-limit Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) for Iodotrifluoromethane (CF₃I) of 0.008 for midlatitude emissions, new assessments now estimate the impact to be at least 0.011. This key message from the latest United Nations Environment Programme Report on Ozone Depletion confirms the results from a recent study by the University of Illinois that had found CF₃I to even have an ODP of 0.013 in the northern hemisphere.

The two studies' findings will influence the possible use of the non-natural refrigerant Fluid H. The blend was introduced by the chemical company Honeywell as a possible alternative to the current high Global Warming refrigerant HFC-134a in Mobile Air Conditioning. However, its 30% share of the ozone-depleting substance CF₃I could make it an inappropriate candidate for an extensive use worldwide.