The regulatory phase-out of CFCs and halons
- Environmental Protection Agency, Atlanta, GA (United States). Region IV
This paper reports that the Environmental Protection Agency, and many countries of the world, are moving forward to control fully halogenated hydrocarbons, or what are more commonly referred to as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs and certain other halocarbons have been determined detrimental to the Earth's ozone layer. Ozone is formed by the absorption of part of the sun's ultraviolet radiation by an oxygen molecule. This absorption of energy causes the molecule to split into two atoms. The individual atoms then combine with other oxygen atoms to form O{sub s}, ozone. About 90 percent of the Earth's ozone is located in that portion of the atmosphere known as the stratosphere. The ozone layer acts as a natural shield against the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation. UV radiation has been implicated in causing several types of skin cancers, cataracts, and adverse effects on crop production and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Excessive UV radiation is capable of affecting nearly every aspect of life on the planet. Chlorofluorocarbons were first implicated in the reduction of the ozone layer in 1974. Chlorine released from the breakdown of CFCs would recombine with ozone molecules and break them apart as previously mentioned. Bromine, another halogen, has also been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer and is also addressed in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) regulations as well as in the Montreal Protocol. It is estimated that every one percent depletion of the ozone layer results in a 1.5 to 2 percent increase in exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- OSTI ID:
- 7307988
- Journal Information:
- Energy Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Engineering; (United States) Vol. 88:1; ISSN EENGD; ISSN 0199-8595
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
BROMINE
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HALOGENS
LAYERS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE LAYER
REGULATIONS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS