INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH ON ALTERNATIVE FLUOROCARBONS

Fluorocarbons containing chlorine or bromine have been associated with stratospheric ozone depletion and the search for suitable alternative s is progressing at an accelerated pace. The Program for Alternative F luorocarbon Toxicity Testing (PAFT), an international group representi ng most of the world's CFC producers, has been conducting comprehensiv e toxicological evaluations on several possible replacements for curre nt fire-extinguishing agents - 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCF C-123), 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124), pentafluoroetha ne (HFC-125), and 1-fluoro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-134a). Results f rom short-term experimental studies showing a low order of acute toxic ity, as well as results from longer-term toxicity studies on these rep lacements, will be discussed.