Aerosols, chlorofluorocarbons

A compressed gas used to expel the contents of containers in the form of aerosols. Chlorofluorocarbons were once widely used because of their nonflammability. The strong possibility that they contribute to depletion of the ozone layer of the upper atmosphere has resulted in prohibition of their use for this purpose. Other propellants used are hydrocarbon gases, such as butane and propane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. The materials dispersed include insecticides, shaving cream, whipping cream,andcosmeticpreparations. See ozone (note). 

Brasseur, G., and C. Granier, Mount Pinatubo aerosols, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone depletion. Science 257, 1239, 1992. 

Aerosol sprays consist of a material dissolved or suspended in a liquid which when pressure is released volatilizes to produce a fine spray. The spray carries the active material. Used in hair lacquers, paints, etc. the propellant should be inert and non-inflammable. Chlorofluorocarbons have been used extensively but are now being replaced. 

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Prior to 1978 most aerosol products contained chlorofluorocarbon propeUants. Since that time, the use of chlorinated fluorocarbons for aerosols has been seriously curtailed. These compounds have been impHcated in the depeletion of the ozone (qv) layer and are considered to be greenhouse gases (see Airpollution Atmospheric modeling). 

Production of hydrogen fluoride from reaction of Cap2 with sulfuric acid is the largest user of fluorspar and accounts for approximately 60—65% of total U.S. consumption. The principal uses of hydrogen fluoride are ia the manufacture of aluminum fluoride and synthetic cryoHte for the Hall aluminum process and fluoropolymers and chlorofluorocarbons that are used as refrigerants, solvents, aerosols (qv), and ia plastics. Because of the concern that chlorofluorocarbons cause upper atmosphere ozone depletion, these compounds are being replaced by hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons. 

TSCA also placed restrictions on the use of chlorofluorocarbons, asbestos, and fuUy halogenated chlorofluoroalkanes such as aerosol propellants. 

The products are available as tablets, capsules, liquids (in the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsions, gels, or injectables), creams (usually oil-in-water emulsions), ointments (usually water-in-oil emulsions), and aerosols, which contain inhalable products or products suitable for external use. Propellants used in aerosols include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are being phased out. Recently, butane has been used as a propellant in externally applied products. The major manufactured groups include ... 

During the 1980s, it became recognized that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), widely used as aerosol propellants, are damaging the ozone layer, and aerosol manufacturers were asked to use other propellants. Some... 

The production of chlorofluoro- and hydrochlorofluorocarbons expanded rapidly after 1945, reaching about 1 milbon tons in 1986 despite a drop m production in the late 1970s, when the United States and several other countnes banned the use of chlorofluorocarbons as aerosol propellants In the early 1990s, production and consumpaon are in decline... 

The formed mixture is composed of trichlorofluoromethane (Freon-11) and dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon-12). These compounds are used as aerosols and as refrigerants. Due to the depleting effect of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer, the production of these compounds may be reduced appreciably. 

A typical example of the interaction between hypothesis and experiment is the story of the work that resulted in worldwide concern over the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. These studies led to the awarding of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry to Paul Crutzen, Mario Molina, and F. Sherwood Rowland. Figure FT provides a schematic view of how this prize-winning research advanced. It began in 1971 when experiments revealed that chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, had appeared in the Earth s atmosphere. At the time, these CFCs were widely used as refrigerants and as aerosol propellants. Rowland wondered what eventually would happen to these gaseous compounds. He carried out a theoretical analysis, from which he concluded that CFCs are very durable and could persist in the atmosphere for many years. 

OTS has focused its control efforts on two other chemicals in addition to PCBs. Working in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration, EPA used TSCA s Section 6 to prohibit the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as propellants in nonessential aerosol products. An advanced notice of proposed rulemaking under TSCA outlined approaches for restricting other uses of CFCs, but the attempt to deal with other CFC uses has been abandoned by the Reagan Administration. 

Ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as aerosol propellants react with ozone in the stratosphere, causing an increase in the penetration of ultraviolet sunhght and increase the risk of skin cancer. 

The chlorofluorocarbon compounds of methane and ethane are collectively known as freons. They are extremely stable, unreactlve, non-toxic, non-corrosive and easily liquefiable gases. Freon 12 (CCI2F2) Is one of the most common freons In Industrial use. It Is manufactured from tetrachloromethane by Swarts reaction. These are usually produced for aerosol propellants, refrigeration and air conditioning purposes. By 1974, total freon production In the world was about 2 billion pounds annually. Most freon, even that used In refrigeration, eventually makes Its way Into the atmosphere where It diffuses unchanged Into the stratosphere. In stratosphere, freon Is able to Initiate radical chain reactions that can upset the natural ozone balance (Unit 14, Class XI). 

Freon is a commercial trademark for a series of fluorocarbon products used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, as aerosol propellants, blowing agents, fire extinguishing agents, and cleaning fluids and solvents. Many types contain chlorine as well as fluorine, and should be called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) [85,86]. 

Specific bans on chemicals or uses have not been the most important outcome of TSCA. Only one type of chemical, PCBs, was specifically targeted in the original law and they are now outlawed in most of their uses. EPA administration of the law in its early years led to a ban of chlorofluorocarbons as aerosol propellants, restrictions on dioxin waste disposal, rules on asbestos use, and testing rules on chlorinated solvents. It has led to a central bank of information on existing commercial chemicals, procedures for further testing of hazardous chemicals, and detailed permit requirements for submission of proposed new commercial chemicals. 

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