Chlorofluorocarbon

An image showing CFC molecules. C is carbon, Cl is chlorine and F is fluorine.

NASA projection of stratospheric ozone, in Dobson units, if chlorofluorocarbons had not been banned.

A chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is a gas used for various purposes including solvents, refrigerants, and aerosol sprays. They are organic chemicals and contain carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine. They were much used in the middle of the 20th century, replacing chemicals that were toxic or flammable or had other problems.

In 1978, Sweden became the first country that banned CFC products. Later, the US and Canada did the same. Now, CFC products are not allowed in most countries, because they cause ozone depletion. CFCs are greenhouse gases. An alternative to chlorofluorocarbons is hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These do not destroy the ozone layer or increase global warming.

Chlorofluorocarbon Media

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  The warming influence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased substantially in recent years. The rising presence of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning is the largest overall driver. The relatively smaller but significant warming impact from releases of the most abundantly produced CFCs (CFC11 and CFC12) will continue to persist for many further decades into the future.

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  CFCs negatively affecting stratospheric ozone production

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  estructura 3d de algunas moléculas de cfc

Related pages

• Thomas Midgley (American inventor)
• Freon

References

Ozone-depleting gas trends