Honeywell HFO-1234yf - Mobile Air Conditioning Refrigerant

Comfort and Well-being

Real World Safety

HFO-1234yf has low flammability and is much less flammable than many materials commonly used in automobiles. Independent, documented tests demonstrate the low flammability of HFO-1234yf. Based on these tests, many leading OEMs believe HFO-1234yf is safe to use in mobile air conditioning.

As part of the development of HFO-1234yf, independent third-party groups such as the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturer’s Association, as well as a number of global auto manufacturers have conducted flammability studies on HFO-1234yf.

These tests have concluded that the risk associated with HFO-1234yf is extremely small. What’s important to keep in mind is that the product has been rigorously and independently tested by laboratories against real-world situations to verify that HFO-1234yf is appropriate for widespread use in automobiles.

Independent, global testing laboratories such as WIL Labs, and TNO Laboratories in the Netherlands have conducted comprehensive toxicity tests on HFO-1234yf.

Based upon the results of these tests, Honeywell and Dupont have concluded that HFO-1234yf is safe for use in mobile air conditioning. These reports have been reviewed and accepted by the Belgium Competent Authority as well as toxicologists from several industry groups.

Many materials used every day – including CO₂ – can be toxic if exposures are too great. One government study called for risk mitigation devices to be installed in cars using CO₂-based A/C systems to avoid health effects ranging from dizziness to loss of consciousness if CO₂ concentrations become too high.

Tests conducted by OEMs have concluded that the use of HFO-1234yf in mobile air conditioning will not result in high exposure levels for automobile drivers and passengers.

In the event of a car fire, many materials will burn and release potentially hazardous substances. To date, no documented case where the combustion of mobile air conditioning refrigerants has led to injury has come to light.

The test results on flammability and toxicity, and the results of independent tests performed by third parties, support the view that HFO-1234yf is safe for use in automobiles.