Techotic

Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) is a gas often used in the making of flat screen televisions, which is said to be behind the accelerating of global warming. Professor Michael Prather from the University of California wrote an article entitled “Going Below Kyoto’s Radar” about the effect of NF3 on the environment for New Scientist estimates that 4,000 tons of NF3 will be produced in 2008 and that number is likely to double next year.

The gas, widely used in the manufacture of flat screen TVs, is estimated to be 17,000 times as powerful as carbon dioxide.

Ironically, NF3 is not covered by the Kyoto protocol as it was only produced in tiny amounts when the treaty was signed in 1997.

Levels of this gas in the atmosphere have not been measured, but scientists say it is a concern and are calling for it to be included in any future emissions cutting agreement.

[via abc australia]