Global warming is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere which results in an increment of the overall temperature of the Earth. Among all the greenhouse gases, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) or so-called Sulphur (VI) Fluoride stands out as the most lethal perpetrator of this phenomenon.
Photo Source: Conserve Energy Future
Lying within high voltage equipment, sulfur hexafluoride is essential in almost every electric sector, crucial for preventing accidents like electrical overload because of its advantage of insulating electric in circuit breaker. On the contrary, such useful gas is also the most powerful climate-warming substance known to mankind.
Approximately 8000 tonnes of sulfur hexafluoride gas is produced every year but the quantity of it exposed to the atmosphere does pose a potential threat in the form of temperature rise.
Although the ratio of the gas produced and the gas emitted to the atmosphere seems harmless, the fact is that sulfur hexafluoride is 23500 times damaging than carbon dioxide, trapping more heat inside the atmosphere.
Photo Source: Energy Post
Adding to the fact that it persists in the atmosphere then warms the Earth for 580 years ranging to 1400 years, sulphur hexafluoride is classified as one of the controlled greenhouse gas identified by 1997 Kyoto Protocol under the United Nation.
Photo Source: Medium
We can only contribute more work to preventing leakage to happen in the electrical industry. Recycle workers and production workers of sulfur hexafluoride must know the necessity of handling the substance safely without letting it out to the air, causing extra harm.
Awareness should be raised so that people know the combat against global warming and the dire need to find an alternative gas better and safer than sulfur hexafluoride immediately before things get unbridled.
