Topic summary
SF6
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Sulfur hexafluoride.
SF
6 has 23,500 times greater global warming potential (GWP) than CO2 as a greenhouse gas (over a 100-year time horizon), but exists in relatively minor concentrations in the atmosphere. Its GWP is 35,000 on a 500-year time horizon, compared with CO2. Its concentration in Earth's troposphere reached 12.06 parts per trillion (ppt) in February 2025, rising at 0.4 ppt/year. The increase since 1980 is driven in large part by the expanding electric power sector, including fugitive emissions from banks of SF
6 gas contained in its medium- and high-voltage switchgear. Uses in magnesium, aluminium, and electronics manufacturing also hastened atmospheric growth.