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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

Last updated: January 9, 2017

What Does Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) Mean?

Chlorofluorocarbons are non-toxic, non-flammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine and fluorine. Chlorofluorocarbons are highly effective refrigerants, which were developed in response to the need to reduce toxic and flammable substances from refrigerators and air conditioning units. They have been commonly used in aerosol sprays, cleaning agents for electrical and electronic components, as well as foaming agents in shipping plastics manufacture.

Safeopedia Explains Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

Chlorofluorocarbons are classified as halocarbons. Halocarbons are a class of compounds that contain atoms of carbon and halogen atoms. Chlorofluorocarbons are safe to use in most applications, as they are inert in the lower atmosphere. However, they undergo significant reaction in the upper atmosphere, or stratosphere. Use of chlorofluorocarbons should become obsolete in the next decade if the Montreal Protocol is observed and substitutes are used universally.

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