TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES 

IN NON-MEDICAL AEROSOLS

Background

This fact sheet provides current information on low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives for non-medical commercial aerosols 

(i.e., excluding metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)) that have historically relied on ozone depleting substances controlled under the Montreal 

Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

1

 Aerosols use liquefied or compressed gas to propel active ingredients in liquid, 

paste, or powder form in precise spray patterns with controlled droplet sizes and amounts. Typical aerosol products use a propellant that is 

a gas at atmospheric pressure, but is a pressurized liquid in the can. Some aerosols also contain a solvent. In some cleaning applications, 

the propellant disperses the solvent; in other applications, the solvent product and propellant solution are evenly mixed to improve shelf-life 

and product performance, such as by preventing dripping and ensuring uniform film thickness for spray paints. Non-medical commercial 

aerosols can be broken down into the following two product categories:

Consumer Aerosols

•	Tire inflators/sealants

•	Safety signal horns

•	Animal repellants

•	Personal care products (e.g., cosmetic aerosols, hairspray, 

deodorants, wound care sprays,2

 taping base3)

•	Food dispensing products

•	Freeze sprays (e.g., food freezing, animal waste freezing, cold 

sprays4

)

•	Spray paint

•	Novelty aerosols (e.g., artificial snow, plastic string, noise 

makers, cork poppers)

•	Miscellaneous consumer aerosols (e.g., household cleaning 

products, brake cleaners,5

 eyeglass and keyboard dusters, 

room fresheners, spray adhesives)

Technical Aerosols

•	Dusters6 (e.g., for photographic negatives, semiconductor 

chip manufacture, specimens for observation under electron 

microscope) 

•	Cleaners (e.g., electronic contact cleaners,7

 flux remover8) 

•	Pesticides (e.g., wasp and hornet sprays, aircraft insecticides)

•	Miscellaneous technical aerosols (e.g., document preservation 

sprays, freeze sprays9

)

Although a large portion of the aerosol market has avoided HFC 

propellants and solvents by transitioning directly to low-GWP 

options and “not-in-kind” (NIK) alternatives, in 2010, global HFC 

consumption from aerosols was estimated at 54 million metric 

tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2eq.). Twenty-four 

percent of this amount was from the non-medical commercial enduses described above. Developed countries accounted for nearly all 

of the global HFCs used in commercial aerosols.
HFC Alternatives and Market Trends 

Historically, CFC-12 was used as a propellant and CFCs (e.g., CFC11 and -113) and methyl chloroform were often used as solvents 

in aerosols. In response to the CFC phaseout, these were replaced 

with a variety of alternatives, including HCFCs, hydrocarbons (HCs), 

oxygenated organic compounds, and NIK alternatives. HCFCs 

included primarily HCFC-22 for propellants and both HCFC-141b 

and HCFC-225ca/cb for solvents.10 HCFC propellants have in turn 

been replaced with high-GWP HFCs—including HFC-134a—as 

well as a variety of low-GWP substitutes, such as HCs, compressed 

gases, NIK alternatives, and HFC-152a. Likewise, HCFC solvents have 

been replaced by HFC-43-10mee, HFC-365mfc, HFC-245fa, trans1,2-dichloroethylene, HCs, oxygenated organic compounds, and 

hydrofluoroethers (HFEs). Other low-GWP fluorinated compounds 

are also in use or under development, including HFOs.11 These 

alternatives are described further below.

HCs

•	Propane, butane, and isobutane blends used for propellants

•	Hexane, heptane, and other HCs used as solvents

•	Used in technical and some consumer aerosols 

•	Plant modifications needed to address flammability/

safety concerns

•	Local use restrictions may apply due to concerns over 

volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, in particular in 

the United States

Oxygenated Organic Compounds 

•	Dimethyl ether (DME) used for propellants

•	Esters, ethers, alcohols, and ketones used as solvents

•	Used in technical and consumer aerosols 

•	Plant modifications needed to address flammability/

safety concerns

•	Local use restrictions may apply due to concerns over 

VOC emissions, in particular in the United States

NIK

•	Finger/trigger pumps, powder formulations, sticks, rollers, brushes, 

bag-in-can/piston-can systems, wipes, sand-blasting, brushing, 

and abrasion used in place of propellants and solvents in technical 

and consumer aerosols 

•	Mixing balls and dip tubes also used in place of high-GWP 

solvents in technical aerosols; propellants still required

Europe’s Experience

Europe is the world’s largest producer of aerosols, with 5.5 

billion units produced in 2011 representing nearly 46% of global 

production. Of these, 5.1 billion were produced in the European 

Union (EU). Shortly after the signing of the Montreal Protocol, 

the EU aerosol industry transitioned from CFCs to HCFCs for the 

majority of non-medical aerosols in 1989, and then transitioned 

away from HCFC propellants to HFCs (primarily HFC-134a), HCs, 

and NIK devices by 1995. In 2002, the European industry voluntarily 

began the transition away from HFCs through the Code of Practice 

on HFC Use in Aerosols of the European Aerosol Federation, which 

specified that HFC propellants only be used when no other safe, 

practical, economic, or environmentally acceptable alternatives exist. 

This transition was later boosted by EU regulation (Regulation (EC) 

No. 842/2006), which banned HFC use in novelty aerosol products 

as of July 2009.

Chemical GWP ODPa

Propellant

CFC-12 10,900 1

HCFC-22 1,810 0.055

HFC-134a 1,430 0

N2O 298 0.017

HFC-152a 124 0

HFO-1234ze(E) 6 0

Butane 4 0

Propane 3.3 0

Isobutane 3 0

CO2 1 0

DME 1 0

Solvent

CFC-113 6,130 0.8

CFC-11 4,750 1

HFC-43-10mee 1,640 0

HFC-245fa 1,030 0

HFC-365mfc 794 0

HCFC-141b 725 0.11

HCFC-225cb 595 0.033

HFE-449s1 (HFE-7100) 297 0

Methyl chloroform 146 0.1

HCFC-225ca 122 0.025

HFE-569sf2 (HFE-7200) 59 0

Oxygenated Organic Compounds <20 0

-1233zd(E) (HBA-2) 4.7-7 ~0

Hexane 3 0

Heptane 3 0

aODP = ozone depletion potential
Compressed Gases

•	Includes CO2, air, nitrous oxide (N2O), and nitrogen

•	Used as propellants in some technical and consumer 

applications (e.g., dusters)

•	N2O commonly used in food dispensing aerosols

HFEs

•	Used as solvents in technical aerosols

•	No flammability

•	May be mixed with other, more flammable compounds with 

higher solvency, such as trans-dichloroethylene 

HFC-152a

•	Although an HFC, the GWP is 91% lower than HFC-134a

•	Used as a propellant in technical and consumer aerosols, 

particularly where VOCs are of concern, such as in the 

United States

•	Moderate flammability

Low-GWP Fluorinated Compounds 

•	HFO-1234ze(E) used as a propellant in technical and 

consumer aerosols

•	Other low-GWP fluorinated compounds are becoming available 

as propellants and solvents (e.g., -1233zd(E)12 used as solvent) 

•	Depending on solvency of the fluorinated compound, it 

may be mixed with other, more flammable compounds with 

higher solvency

•	Some exhibit low flammability, others non-flammable

•	Few facility modifications required to transition from HCFCs 

or HFCs
Challenges to Market Entry and Potential Solutions

Alternative Challenges to Market Entry Potential Solutions

HCs, Oxygenated Organic 

Compounds

(Propellant and Solvent)

•	 Highly Flammable 

•	 VOC Regulation and Air Quality Impacts

•	 Engineering Controls 

•	 Standards and Safety Regulations

•	 Training and Education

NIK

(Propellant and Solvent) •	 Lower Performance for Some Applications •	 Engineering Design

Compressed Gases 

(Propellant) •	 Fewer Blasts per Can Compared to HFCs •	 Engineering Design

HFEs (Solvent) •	 Lower Performance for Some Applications •	 Mixing with Other, More Aggressive Solvents

HFC-152a (Propellant) •	 Moderate Flammability

•	 Engineering Controls 

•	 Standards and Safety Regulations

•	 Training and Education

Low-GWP Fluorinated 

Compounds

(Propellant and Solvent)

•	 Some Are Still Entering World Markets •	 Field Testing

Future Outlook

Much of the aerosol sector has avoided the use of HFCs, transitioning from CFCs or HCFCs directly to low-GWP alternative chemicals and 

NIK solutions. Together, the suite of known alternative chemicals and NIK options can significantly reduce the remaining HFC consumption 

in both the near and long terms, while simultaneously helping to complete the HCFC phaseout. Although more work remains to fully adopt 

these alternatives, the industries currently using HCFCs and HFCs have proven through the ODS phaseout that they can move quickly to 

protect the environment. 

1 Although MDIs are also transitioning away from CFC propellants to HFC propellants, critical use exemptions allow the limited use 

of CFCs for safety and technical reasons.

2 Wound care sprays include germicides and spray-on bandages.

3 Taping base is used on injuries to help secure tape, underwrap, and elastic wraps.

4 Topical coolants and freeze sprays are used by medical trainers and athletes. After application, the spray evaporates from the 

skin, lowering the surface temperature to alleviate pain.

5 Brake cleaners remove oil, dirt, and other debris from vehicle braking systems. Brake cleaners previously used methyl chloroform 

and successfully avoided use of high-GWP HFCs by transitioning directly to perchloroethylene or carbon dioxide as a solvent/

propellant. 

6 Duster sprays are compressed gases used to blow off dust or dirt, particularly from computers and electronic equipment.

7 Electronic contact cleaners are used to dissolve and remove oil, grease, flux, condensation, and other contaminants quickly from 

delicate electronic circuitry and instrumentation.

8 Flux removers are used to clean excess flux and solder residue from circuit boards and electrical components.

9 Among other uses, freeze sprays are used to test electrical conductivity of components on circuit boards, and freeze and 

remove warts.

10 In the United States, the use of HCFC aerosols was banned for nonessential products in 1994. Only a few types of products 

were allowed.

11 HFOs (hydrofluoro-olefins) are unsaturated HFCs.

12 -1233zd(E), an unsaturated compound, is also referred to as trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene and by trade names such 

as HBA-2.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA 430-F-13-013 • www.epa.gov • April 2013

Printed on recycled paper 
References

American Chemical Council Solvents Industry Group. 2011. Benefits of Solvents: Aerosol Products. Available at: http://www.

americanchemistry.com/s_acc/sec_solvents_doc.asp?CID=1490&DID=5729. Accessed May 5, 2011.

Anderson, Stephen O., K. Madhava Sarma, and Kristen N. Taddonio. Technology Transfer for the Ozone Layer: Lessons for Climate Change. 

2007. Available online at: http://books.google.com/books?id=OvgA-hZrPOcC&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=not-in-kind+alternatives+for+a

erosols+in+europe&source=bl&ots=5SsjjZ8seF&sig=zTmlEGSSJy8h8xnCCrGjx0nBz30&hl=en&ei=ZX2xTZ2WMZSftweZl7mKDA&sa=X&oi=

book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false. Accessed April 22, 2011. 

Center for Sustainable Production and Consumption (C-SPAC). 2005. “Ecofridge: Make the Right Choice Now.” Consumer Unity & Trust 

Society (CUTS). Available online at: http://www.cuts-international.org/sc98-1.htm. Accessed February 18, 2013.

European Aerosol Federation. 2013. “Code of Practice on HFCs Use in Aerosols.” Available at: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/self-andcoregulation/documents/codes/private/021-private-act.pdf. Last update: 02 January 2013. Accessed February 18, 2013.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)/ Technical and Economical Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2005. “Safeguarding the Ozone Layer 

and the Global Climate System: Issues Related to Hydrofluorocarbons and Perfluorocarbons,” Chapter 10: Non-Medical Aerosols, Solvents, 

and HFC-23. Campbell, N., J. Hu, P. Lapin, A. McCulloch, A. Merchant, K. Mizuno, J. Owens, P. Rollet. Available online at: http://www.ipcc.ch/

pdf/special-reports/sroc/sroc10.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2001. Third Assessment Report – Climate Change 2001: Mitigation. Aerosol Products, 

Excerpt from Appendix III of the Report. Available online at: http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/other_methodological_issues/

interactions_with_ozone_layer/application/pdf/ipacat3.pdf. Accessed April 22, 2011. 

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2010. Chemicals Technical Options Committee 2010 Assessment Report. 

Available online at: http://ozone.unmfs.org/Assessment_Panels/TEAP/Reports/CTOC/CTOC-Assesssment-Report-2010.pdf. Accessed 

February 20, 2012. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). October 2009. 2009 Marginal Abatement Cost Curve Analysis for Reduction of HFCs in 

Traditional Ozone Depleting Substance End-Use Applications. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and 

Radiation, by ICF International. Draft Report. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). June 2006. “Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases.” U.S. EPA #430-R-06-005. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). September 2004. The U.S. Solvent Cleaning Industry and the Transition to Non Ozone 

Depleting Substances. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation, by ICF International. Draft Report. 

Wenzel, H. and Hauschild, M. 1998. “Environmental Assessment of Products: Volume 2: Scientific Background.” London, UK: 

Chapman & Hall.