These chemicals are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, insulation, fire suppression, and aerosol propellants. The most common types include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). While these gases are used in relatively small quantities compared to carbon dioxide, their global warming potential (GWP) is thousands of times higher, meaning they trap far more heat per molecule.