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Industrial research on alternative fluorocarbons
1E.I. du Pont Nemours & Company, Haskell Laboratory for Toxicology and Industrial Medicine, Newark, DE 19714.
Toxicology Letters
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Researchers evaluated alternative fire extinguishants like HCFC-123 and HFC-134a for ozone depletion risks. Short-term and long-term toxicity studies indicate these fluorocarbons have low acute toxicity, supporting their potential as safer replacements.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) containing chlorine or bromine are linked to stratospheric ozone depletion.
- A global effort is underway to find safer alternatives for CFCs, particularly for fire-extinguishing agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct comprehensive toxicological evaluations on potential replacements for current fire-extinguishing agents.
- To assess the safety profile of specific hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Main Methods:
- Toxicological evaluations were performed on HCFC-123, HCFC-124, HFC-125, and HFC-134a.
- Both short-term acute toxicity studies and longer-term toxicity studies were conducted.
Main Results:
- Initial short-term studies demonstrated a low order of acute toxicity for the tested fluorocarbons.
- Results from longer-term toxicity studies are also presented, contributing to a comprehensive safety assessment.
Conclusions:
- The evaluated fluorocarbons (HCFC-123, HCFC-124, HFC-125, HFC-134a) show promise as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances.
- The low acute toxicity observed suggests these compounds may be suitable replacements for fire-extinguishing applications.