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Sources
of CFCs
What Are the Sources of CFCs?
By Tommy Doc
Chlorofluorocarbons, also
known as CFCs, consist of chemical compounds made up of chlorine, fluorine and
carbon.
CFCs are particularly harmful
when released into the atmosphere because of their destructive reaction with
O-zone particles, which provide the Earth with a protective layer against UV
radiation.
Since 1995 most countries
have virtually eliminated CFC production, but a few specialized products still
contain CFCs.
TL; DR (Too
Long; Didn't Read)
The most common source of
CFCs are refrigerants, but fire suppression systems for aircraft and aerosols
also emit CFCs into the atmosphere.
Refrigerators and Air Conditioners
The most common emitter of
CFCs are refrigerants, particularly those used after the 1930s.
Dupont brand named their new
product “Freon” and various other brand names produced the CFC-based
refrigerant worldwide.
When the coolant used in old
refrigerators, cars, air conditioners and other machines is not properly
disposed of, it leaks CFCs into the atmosphere as liquids evaporate or work
their way into the soil.
Aircraft Halon
Aviation regulations in some
countries still require fire suppression systems outfitted with Halon, a
coolant containing CFCs.
As of 2011, there is no safe,
effective alternative. The industry must follow certain safety measures to
dispose of the this dangerous chemical responsibly and to recycle the material
when possible.
Aerosol Sprays
Aerosol cans and propellant
liquids used gasses containing CFCs for a long time.
They were phased out of
aerosol production in 1999 in favor of less harmful hydrocarbon alternatives.
However, since CFC molecules
have a lifetime of 20 to 100 years in the stratosphere, the damage done in
previous decades continues to make an impact.
Rogue CFCs
As refrigerants and aerosol
cans containing CFCs become older and more obsolete, people tend to forget
about them, leaving them to leak and further contaminate the atmosphere.
Researchers at the University
of East Anglia are working on methods to pinpoint local sources of CFC
exposure, such as old CFC refrigerators.
They collect air from the stratosphere and use mass spectrometers to determine the chemical makeup of CFC contamination.
Tommy Doc is a
2007 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and an aspiring Internet
entrepreneur. He was the sports editor for "The Pennsylvania
Independent" while attaining his bachelor's degree in communications and
environmental science. Doc is from Atlantic City, N.J. but has lived in
Philadelphia, San Diego, New York and currently resides in Austin, Texas.
https://sciencing.com/sources-cfcs-8405334.html
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