MEMORANDUM

To:	Margaret Sheppard; U.S. EPA

Cc:	Monica Shimamura; U.S. EPA

From:	Sarah Menassian, Kara Altshuler and Mark Wagner; ICF International


Date:	September 29, 2009

Re:	Decomposition of Solvay Foam Blowing Agent Blend 

(EPA Contract EP-W-06-008, TO 038, Task 5)

ICF has reviewed information provided by Solvay regarding the potential
decomposition of their foam blowing agent blends containing HFC-365mfc
and HFC-245fa.  Information was provided regarding the decomposition of
HFC-365mfc, but information was not available for the blend.  

In 2003, ICF analyzed the decomposition of a foam blowing agent
consisting of HFC-245fa and HCFC-22 to cis- and trans-HFO-1234ze.  It
was found that blends with higher concentrations of HFC-245fa resulted
in higher quantities of decomposition products.  However, pure
HFO-1234ze has since been approved for use in foam-blowing applications
and will be used in much greater quantities than those produced by
decomposition of HFC-245fa to HFO-1234ze.  Therefore, decomposition of
HFC-245fa to HFO-1234ze is not expected to pose a toxicity threat.

Further, available information on HFC-365mfc indicates that its
decomposition will be very limited (i.e., 0.1 percent or less). 
Decomposition products expected include cis- and
trans-1,1,1,3-tetrafluorobut-2-ene and 1,1,3,3-tetrafluorobut-1-ene. 
While specific toxicity data were not available for these compounds, we
expect they should be similarly toxic to other fluorinated alkenes
previously reviewed.  As these compounds will be present in very low
concentrations, there is not a significant toxicity concern.

Any potential effects stemming from the blending of these two chemicals
cannot be determined without testing data for the blend; however based
on the available information, exposure to the decomposition products of
HFC-365mfc and HFC-245fa is not expected to be a significant
toxicological concern.

Please contact Mark Wagner (202) 862-1155 with questions or comments.

 Memorandum entitled: “HFC-245fa/ HCFC-22 Foam Blowing Decomposition
Questions” (deliverable under EPA Contract Number 68-D-00-266, WA 2-04
Task 02).

Decomposition of Solvay Foam Blowing Agent Blend – Version 1

September 29, 2009

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