At the mid-year point of an eventful 2024, one truth stands out in the HVACR industry: The more things change, the more they stay the same.

While the EU F-gas phasedown took effect earlier this year, the transition from policy to practice is ongoing. Industry stakeholders across Europe are still deliberating enforcement methods, and the practical implementation details are far from decided.

In the U.S., EPA continues to affirm HFOs as safe, sustainable cooling solutions. Recently, the agency issued Final Rule 26, which approves the use of HFOs in new industrial process refrigeration, cold storage warehouses, retail food refrigeration, commercial ice machines, and ice skating rinks.

Final Rule 26 also confirms that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) resulting from HFOs poses negligible risk to human and ecosystem health. This conclusion is based on rigorous studies, including a 2021 analysis by leading atmospheric scientists.

Despite this, climate activists and marketers of so-called “natural” refrigerants continue to misrepresent the truth about TFA and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to smear HFOs. They’ve recently claimed TFA “could be” bioaccumulative, contradicting EPA and a growing body of atmospheric research.

HFO opponents also misrepresent facts about PFAS, pushing EPA to include HFOs in its PFAS definition. But EPA has taken a clear stance: TFA is a “well-studied non-PFAS” and shouldn’t be grouped with higher-risk substances. Banning PFAS without scientific justification can have far-reaching consequences.

Misinformation is swirling this summer, but don’t let it cloud your judgment. Keep your cool and stay informed by following globalFACT for the latest developments in the HVACR industry.