Proceedings of the conference on methyl chloroform and other halocarbon pollutants

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6742138

Bufalini, J. J.

The purpose of the Conference on Methyl Chloroform and Other Halocarbon Pollutants was to establish the distribution and persistence of methyl chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane, CH/sub 3/CCl/sub 3/, MCF) and other related halogenated organic compounds. The emphasis was largely on the effects of halocarbons on O/sub 3/ depletion. MCF was chosen as the principal compound of interest because its production rate is rapidly increasing and there is some doubt as to its tropospheric lifetime. The uncertainty with regard to the lifetime of MCF is largely a result of uncertainty on the amount of hydroxyl radical (OH) present in the troposphere as well as the ambient concentration of MCF. The 16 papers fall into 2 basic groups. The first 10 papers present results of research in atmospheric chemistry as related to the question of stratospheric ozone depletion by halocarbons. Drawing upon atmospheric measurements and model calculations, the authors give estimates of emission levels, current atmospheric burdens, tropospheric lifetimes, the importance of sinks, effects on stratospheric ozone, and related questions. The final 6 papers take the perspective of involvement in, or concern with, regulatory decisionmaking. The authors consider various options, recommendations, and plans for halocarbon control in light of available scientific data. Finally, the Panel Discussion which concluded the Conference is presented in verbatim transcript form. Focusing on the current status of atmospheric measurements, the participants discuss problems in obtaining accurate halocarbon data, and discrepancies between and within the results of individual investigators.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (USA). Environmental Sciences Research Lab.
• OSTI ID: 6742138
• Report Number(s): EPA-600/9-80-003; CONF-790263-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500100 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXYL RADICALS
LIFETIME
MEETINGS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
POLLUTION CONTROL
RADICALS
STRATOSPHERE
TROPOSPHERE