SF6 and the Global Atmosphere; Electra No. 164 (1996), p. 121-131
Summary
The use of SF6 as a means for high-voltage insulation or current interruption allows solutions for equipment in the electrical power transmission and distribution industry which are superior to all other known technologies, particularly when it comes to the question of environmental impact.
Despite this fact, two questions regarding the effect of SF6 on the global atmosphere have recently been discussed more intensely, i.e., what is the contribution of SF6 to the stratospheric ozone depletion and to the global greenhouse effect?
This paper shows that, as SF6 does not contain chlorine, it has no effect on ozone depletion. It also shows that the contribution of SF6 to the greenhouse effect is completely negligible because of the very small quantity produced and because of the continuously improved handling procedures which will reduce the gas´ release to the atmosphere to a very small fraction of the total production. At the end of the life of SF6 equipment, SF6 gas can either be recycled or reduced, in industrial waste-treatment equipment, to environmentally compatible end products.
This paper gives recommendations for SF6 good housekeeping.