Compounds containing only hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms. They were introduced as alternatives to ozone depleting substances that serve many industrial, commercial and personal needs. HFCs are emitted as by-products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing. They do not significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, but are potent greenhouse gases with global warming potentials ranging from 140 (HFC-152a) to 11,700 (HFC-23).

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