Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS) ARE a group of organic compounds that contain carbon, fluorine, and hydrogen. They are by-products of industrial manufacturing and were introduced as a replacements for chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances (Franklin, 33). However, though HFCs have zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), they have intrinsic and significant global warming potential (GWP), typically in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 times that of CO2. Thus, they are among the six key greenhouse gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol for emission reduction. Other greenhouse gases listed by the protocol are CO2, CH4, N2O, PFCs, SF6, and HFCs. Industry and government are ...