Synthetic Refrigerants and PFAS Compounds

Synthetic refrigerants, such as the widely used R410A and R32, have long played a central role in heat pumps and air conditioning systems. Their convenience and efficiency have made them popular, especially for cooling and heating buildings. However, a serious concern has emerged in recent years: the breakdown products of many of these refrigerants are classified as PFAS chemicals – so-called “forever chemicals” – or behave in a similar way.

What are PFAS compounds?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s for various industrial and consumer products. Applications include refrigerants, flame retardants, Teflon coatings, water- and grease-resistant packaging, textiles, and cosmetics. These compounds are exceptionally resistant to heat, water, and grease – properties that make them useful but also extremely persistent and difficult to break down in the environment. Their molecular structure prevents natural degradation, leading to accumulation in the environment, animals, and humans over decades.

The Link Between Refrigerants and PFAS

Many currently used synthetic refrigerants, such as R410A, R134a, and R32, contain fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFCs). While these substances may not technically be PFAS under the strictest definition, they break down in the atmosphere into compounds that behave like PFAS – they accumulate, persist, and pose risks. In addition to super greenhouse gases such as HFC-23, the manufacturing processes of these refrigerants can also produce actual PFAS compounds.

Long-Term Environmental Impacts

PFAS compounds have been found in soil, groundwater, lakes, and oceans worldwide, especially near production facilities that manufacture or use fluorinated substances. PFAS can spread through air and accumulate in water bodies and food chains, affecting ecosystems for generations. In the U.S. and Europe, some areas have had to limit industrial and food production due to PFAS contamination. These compounds build up in the body and do not easily leave – they can be detected in blood samples years after exposure.

Stricter EU Regulation – REACH Update to Strengthen PFAS Restrictions

The future of PFAS is currently at the heart of EU legislation. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing a broad restriction proposal to reduce the use of PFAS compounds. In support of this, the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is scheduled for an update in 2025. The aim is to enhance chemical safety by tightening restrictions on hazardous substances, especially PFAS, reducing the need for individual authorisations, and closing information gaps – building a safer and more sustainable European chemicals industry.

Natural Alternatives – Toward a Safer Future

The environmental and health risks posed by synthetic refrigerants can no longer be ignored. This is why the EU’s F-gas regulation is tightening restrictions on refrigerants, and the market is increasingly shifting toward natural alternatives such as R290 (propane) and R744 (carbon dioxide). These refrigerants are not only energy-efficient but also environmentally friendly, as they do not form persistent or harmful breakdown products.

What About Existing Heat Pumps – Cause for Concern?

Although there is growing discussion about the environmental impact of PFAS and fluorinated refrigerants, it’s important to note that existing systems using synthetic refrigerants are not being banned. EU and Finnish authorities have not imposed restrictions on the use of already installed equipment. These devices can continue to be used and serviced safely for their full life cycle.

Furthermore, using synthetic refrigerants in households does not pose an immediate health risk. The refrigerant is sealed within a closed circuit and does not enter the environment or indoor air during normal use. Potential emissions may occur during maintenance or dismantling, but these can be avoided if carried out professionally with proper precautions.

Although the shift toward environmentally friendly refrigerants like propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744) is ongoing, it is gradual. New regulations guide future product development and the market, but they do not force consumers to replace functioning equipment prematurely.

Conclusion

PFAS compounds represent one of the major chemical environmental challenges of our time. The use and production of synthetic refrigerants can accelerate their spread in the environment and increase human exposure. Therefore, the transition to natural refrigerants is not only a technical and economic choice but also an ethical one – for a cleaner, safer future. If your home already has a heat pump using R410A, you can continue using it without worry. At the same time, it is wise to stay informed and prepare for a natural refrigerant alternative when it eventually comes time to replace your equipment.

Our Gebwell G-Eco heat pumps use the natural refrigerant R290. Learn more about G-Eco heat pumps.