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| Fluorocarbons are compounds that replace part or all of the hydrogen found in methane, ethane and other gases with fluorine. They are known as "CFC", "HCFC" and "HFC" depending on their structure. CFC and HCFC are to be abolished under the Montreal Protocol. HFC was not included in the ban. In Japan, these compounds used to be referred to collectively as "furon", but as people have become aware of these substances through talk of ozone layer destruction, regulations and bans, this term has been abandoned in favor of "fluorocarbon" so as not to confuse substances that do not deplete the ozone layer with those that do. Nowadays are used "CFC", "HCFC" and "HFC" to identify specific types of fluorocarbons. |
| (Types and uses of fluorocarbons) |
|
Feature/Example substances |
Major uses |
| CFC |
(Chloro Fluoro Carbon)
Contains chlorine. High ozone depleting factor.
CFC-11, 12, 113, 114, 115, etc. |
Refrigerant - Refrigerators, commercial-use low temperature equipment, car air-conditioning, etc.
Foaming agent, wash agents and aerosol sprays |
| HCFC |
(Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon)
Contains chlorine and hydrogen, so ozone depleting factor is low.
HCFC-22, 123, 141b, 142b, 225, etc. |
Refrigerant - Refrigerators, commercial-use low temperature equipment, room air-conditioning, air-conditioning systems, etc.
Foaming agent, wash agents and aerosol sprays |
| HFC |
(Hydro Fluoro Carbon)
Contains hydrogen. Does not contain chlorine. Does not destroy the ozone layer.
HFC-32, 125, 134a, 143a, 152a, etc. |
Refrigerant - Refrigerators, commercial-use low temperature equipment, car air-conditioning, room air-conditioning, air-conditioning systems, etc.
Foaming agent, wash agents and aerosol sprays |
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