Industrial research on alternative fluorocarbons.

Fluorocarbons containing chlorine or bromine have been associated with stratospheric ozone depletion and the search for suitable alternatives is progressing at an accelerated pace. The Program for Alternative Fluorocarbon Toxicity Testing (PAFT), an international group representing most of the world's CFC producers, has been conducting comprehensive toxicological evaluations on several possible replacements for current fire-extinguishing agents--1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123), 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and 1-fluoro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane (HFC-134a). Results from short-term experimental studies showing a low order of acute toxicity, as well as results from longer-term toxicity studies on these replacements, will be discussed.