Crackdown on “Forever Chemicals” Intensifies — Refrigerant Industry Faces Pressure to Adapt
At the ATMO America Summit in June 2025, Anna Reade, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), highlighted growing resistance from the chemical industry to California’s proposed SB 682 legislation. The bill aims to ban the sale and distribution of most products containing intentionally added PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) by 2035, with a phased implementation beginning in 2027. The scope includes refrigerants, raising significant concerns for the HVAC&R industry.
Under the proposed legislation, widely used PFAS-based refrigerants such as HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234ze(E) would be prohibited by 2035. The bill also targets TFA (trifluoroacetic acid)—a breakdown product of HFOs—under a science-based, comprehensive definition of PFAS. This reflects a shift toward addressing both primary chemicals and their environmentally persistent byproducts.
Reade expressed optimism about the industry’s transition to natural refrigerants, and encouraged stakeholders to submit public comments to ensure the debate remains grounded in science and practical realities. While SB 682 allows certain narrow exemptions—such as federal preemption or essential uses—it broadly aims for the complete phase-out of PFAS in consumer and commercial products.
If passed, the bill could have sweeping effects on the refrigerant sector, especially as toxicological evaluations of ultra-short-chain PFAS like TFA continue to emerge. As with past California laws such as AB 1817 and AB 2771, SB 682 is expected to serve as a regulatory model for other U.S. states and may shape the national direction on PFAS regulation in the coming years.
Key Terms
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): Synthetic chemicals known for their extreme persistence in the environment, often called “forever chemicals.”
- TFA (Trifluoroacetic Acid): A persistent byproduct of atmospheric breakdown of HFO refrigerants; detected in human blood and considered a potential health risk.
- Essential-Use Criteria: A principle under the Montreal Protocol allowing exceptions only for applications that are irreplaceable, functionally critical, and socially essential.
