SULFURYL FLUORIDE – More F. Load

The radiative forcing of climate change associated with
emissions of SO₂F₂ depends critically on the
atmospheric lifetime of SO₂F₂.

The use of the fluoride-containing pesticide, sulfuryl fluoride as a food fumigant (trade name ProFume ®) as well as the fluoridation of drinking water, also contribute to the release of fluoride from anthropogenic sources. Based on available data, phosphate ore production and use, as well as aluminium manufacture are the major industrial sources of fluoride release into the environment.

Sulfuryl fluoride (SO₂F₂) is a radiatively active industrial chemical released into the atmosphere in significant (ktonne/year) quantities. The potential for SO₂F₂ to contribute to radiative forcing of climate change needs to be assessed.  Long path length FTIR/smog chamber techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O₃ with SO₂F₂, in 700 Torr total pressure of air or N₂ at 296 ± 1 K. Upper limits of k(Cl + SO₂F₂) < 9 × 10⁻¹⁹, k(OH + SO₂F₂) < 1.7 × 10⁻¹⁴ and k(O₃ + SO₂F₂) < 5.5 × 10⁻²⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were determined. Reaction with Cl atoms, OH radicals, or O₃ does not provide an efficient removal mechanism for SO₂F₂. The infrared spectrum of SO₂F₂ is reported and a radiative efficiency of 0.196 W m⁻² ppbv⁻¹ was calculated. Historic production data estimates are presented which provide an upper limit for expected atmospheric concentrations. The radiative forcing of climate change associated with emissions of SO₂F₂ depends critically on the atmospheric lifetime of SO₂F₂.

Further research is urgently₃ + SO₂F₂) < 5.5 × 10⁻²⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were determined. Reaction with Cl atoms, OH radicals, or O₃ does not provide an efficient removal mechanism for SO₂F₂. The infrared spectrum of SO₂F₂ is reported and a radiative efficiency of 0.196 W m⁻² ppbv⁻¹ was calculated. Historic production data estimates are presented which provide an upper limit for expected atmospheric concentrations.

The radiative forcing of climate change associated with emissions of SO₂F₂ depends critically on the atmospheric lifetime of SO₂F₂.

Further research is urgently needed to define the magnitude of potential non-atmospheric sinks.

See also → Aust. Defence Bases Contaminated With PFOA (Fluoride)