New Car Coolant Faces Phaseout

New Car Coolant Faces Phaseout - car coolant — New Car Coolant Faces Phaseout

Air conditioning is now a standard feature in almost every car sold in the US, but the refrigerant used in these systems has undergone several changes over the years. Scientists have found that the original refrigerant, once thought to be harmless, had significant environmental impacts, and this cycle appears to be repeating itself. A recent study shows that the relatively new R-1234yf refrigerant is contributing to significant amounts of forever chemicals in the environment.

The original refrigerant, R-12, contained chlorofluorocarbons that contributed to holes in the ozone layer, according to the EPA. As a result, R-12 was banned in the 1990s and replaced with R-134a, a hydrofluorocarbon that was supposed to solve the problem.

However, R-134a has turned out to be a major greenhouse gas, with automotive use accounting for 24% of all its use. Europe took the lead in addressing this problem, phasing out R-134a in 2017 and replacing it with R-1234yf, a hydrofluoroolefin that was supposed to be a more environmentally friendly option.

R-1234yf does not affect the ozone layer and is not a greenhouse gas, but a study by the University of Bristol has found that it is becoming a major source of trifluoroacetic acid in the atmosphere. According to ChemTrust, trifluoroacetic acid is a “forever chemical” that can harm liver function and reproductive functions, including unborn children.

While R-134a emissions are still higher due to its longer period of use, R-1234yf may already be generating a significant amount of trifluoroacetic acid, despite only being in use since 2017. Hotspots for current trifluoroacetic acid emissions overlap parts of Europe with high vehicle emissions, where R-1234yf has seen greater use for a longer time than elsewhere in the world.

The fact that R-1234yf is contributing to such high levels of trifluoroacetic acid emissions is a cause for concern, especially given its relatively short period of use. This situation is reminiscent of similar issues in the past, where new technologies or substances were introduced as solutions to environmental problems, only to be found to have their own set of problems.

In addition to its environmental impacts, R-1234yf is also more expensive than R-134a, contributing to the high prices of new cars. It can also break down into powerful greenhouse gases like carbon tetrafluoride and HFC-23, which have high global warming potentials.

Given the problems associated with R-1234yf, it may be time to consider alternative solutions for automotive refrigeration. The automotive industry continues to evolve, and it is likely that new technologies and substances will be developed to address these challenges.

For now, the use of R-1234yf will likely continue, but it is clear that a new solution is needed to address the environmental and economic impacts of automotive refrigeration. As they continue to search for a more sustainable solution, it is essential to consider the long-term effects of any new technology or substance on the environment and human health.