Observations of HFC-134a in the remote troposphere

Hydrofluorocarbon-134a (CF3CH2F) has been detected and quantified in air samples collected at remote, globally dispersed locations. Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection techniques, we have observed increases for HFC-134a throughout the global troposphere from <50 fmol mol(-1) (ppq) in the late 1980s to 1.6 pmol mol(-1) (ppt) in mid-1995. Results obtained from samples collected during two cruises in 1994 indicate that mixing ratios more than doubled during that year. Increases observed globally from early 1994 through mid-1995 are consistent. with exponential growth at similar to 100% yr(-1).