Best Ductless Split System in Gary – What Are Chlorofluorocarbons?

Chlorofluorocarbons are manmade chemical compounds composed of three types of atoms: chlorine, carbon, and fluorine. These compounds were in household products and as a fire retardant for decades, and are believed to have caused serious damage. In addition to potentially causing illness due to exposure, chlorofluorocarbons have been banned throughout much of the world for their devastating effect on the ozone layer of the Earth.

In the 1890s, a Belgian chemist was able to produce chlorofluorocarbons, also called CFCs, in a laboratory. It was not until the 1920s, however, that their use became widespread through the efforts of inventor Thomas Midgely. Midgely had already achieved considerable fame for the invention of leaded gasoline, despite the profusion of workers contracting deadly lead poisoning during production. First used to replace the dangerous gases that were used in refrigeration systems, CFCs were quickly adapted for use in air conditioners, aerosol cans, military aircraft, and hundreds of other products.

Some experts consider chlorofluorocarbons to be one of the most deadly greenhouse gases ever invented. According to some estimates, a single chlorofluorocarbon compound can destroy 100,000 particles of ozone, allowing dangerous ultraviolet rays to filter through to the Earth's surface. Additionally, chlorofluorocarbons absorb massive amounts of heat, which is then reflected back to the planet. On top of both these destructive functions, CFCs can also survive in the atmosphere for at least a century, meaning that they may continue to cause atmospheric damage for over a hundred years after bans take effect.