June 24, 2013: SAE’s Final R-1234yf Safety Research Says Risk Is Minimal
R-1234yf Refrigerant Is Determined to be Safe to Use
WARRENDALE, Pa. — Utilizing input from Daimler, SAE International initiated additional safety research looking at R-1234yf, a new low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant that can be used in automotive applications. SAE said its original risk assessment is still valid: risks are well below the risks commonly viewed as acceptable.
From 2006 to 2009 SAE International administered a cooperative research project (CRP1234) which evaluated R-1234yf. Using fault tree analysis (FTA) the results of the CRP1234 assessment showed that the risk associated with the use of R-1234yf in automotive vehicles is well below those commonly considered acceptable by the general public and regulatory agencies. The risk assessment was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) approval process, and the EPA subsequently approved R-1234yf for use in U.S. vehicles.