Definitions for "Freons"
(also see CFCs) - Stable liquids or gases usually produced for solvents, aerosol propellants, refrigeration, air conditioner or styrofoam purposes. These high vapor pressure liquids/gases are chemically stable and have long atmospheric lifetimes; therefore, they can eventually become well-mixed in the troposphere and ultimately diffuse into the stratosphere. Upon encountering high energy UV light in the upper stratosphere these species are photodissociated and ultimately release all of their atoms there. The free radical chlorines (or bromines in the case of some halons) catalytically destroy ozone (see chlorine) in the stratosphere. [Environmental Chemistry; Manahan, Stanley E.; Lewis Publishers; Boca Raton, Florida; page 418; 1994.] [The Chemistry of Our Environment; Horne, R. A.; John Wiley and Sons; New York; page 195; 1978.
(CFCs) A group of halogenated hydrocarbons in which fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, or both have replaced one or several of the molecule's hydrogen atoms. The name is derived from the Freon trademark registered by DuPont in the 1930s. Freons, or CFCs (chloroflurocarbons) were previously used widely as cooling agents and as expanding agents in insulation foam. because they contribute to both the depletion of the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect of global warming, their use is now banned in many countries.
Also known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), this is a group of halogenated hydrocarbons: hydrocarbons whose molecules have one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by halogens (chlorine and/or fluorine). Formerly used widely as coolants, and expanding agents in insulation foam. As they contribute to depletion of the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect, their use is now banned in many countries.