Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

PFC, Perfluorkolväten

 Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are included in the group F-gases. F-gases have a significant greenhouse gas effect. In order to compare the effect of different greenhouse gases, emissions are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents¹.

Uses

PFCs are used within the electronic industry for production of semiconductors². PFC gases have earlier been used for sound proofing in windows.

Sources and transportation pathways

PFC gases do not exist naturally in the atmosphere but are produced synthetically. The most important transportation pathway is by emissions to air from industrial processes. In Sweden, emissions are reported from larger operations within the sector production and processing of metals (primary aluminium production).

Effects on environment and health

PFCs are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to the increased greenhouse gas effect³. The increased greenhouse gas effect results in an increase of the average temperature on earth, which for example leads to climate change and rising of the sea level^4,5. Some PFCs can also cause harmful long-term effects on aquatic organisams⁶.

Health effects vary somewhat between different perfluorocarbons. Some PFCs may cause damages to liver and kidneys⁷, whereas others may irritate the skin and cause severe eye irritation^8,9.

International agreements and regulations

Perfluorocarbons are regulated by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as by the EU MMR (525/2013/EU), the EU ETS (2003/87/EU) and the EU F-gas regulation (517/2014/EU). The UN Protocol on PRTRs and the EU E-PRTR regulation regulate how data on perfluorocarbons is made available.



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¹ http://www.naturvardsverket.se/Sa-mar-miljon/Statistik-A-O/Vaxthusgaser-konsumtionsbaserade-utslapp-fran-exporterande-foretag/Koldioxidekvivalenter/
² http://www.eusemiconductors.eu/esia/public-policy/sustainability-esh/pfc-gases
³ http://www.naturvardsverket.se/Sa-mar-miljon/Klimat-och-luft/Klimat/Darfor-blir-det-varmare/Andra-vaxthusgaser/
⁴ http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf
⁵ http://www.smhi.se/kunskapsbanken/klimat/vaxthuseffekten-1.3844
⁶ https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/15102
⁷ https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/76358
⁸ https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/96171
⁹ https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/15102