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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 6, NUMBER 10, OCTOBER 1993

NEWS...
OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

Item #d93oct116

HCFC Ban: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a ban on the non-essential uses of certain products containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons, including some aerosol sprays, pressurized dispensers, and foam products such as chair cushioning. Contact Cynthia Newburg, Stratospheric Protection Div. (6205-J), U.S. EPA, Washington DC 20460 (202-233-9729).

Item #d93oct117

"FICs Could Be Next CFC and Halon Replacements," Global Environ. Change Rep., pp. 1-3, Oct. 8. Two U.S. researchers have identified a new generation of efficient, safe, and environmentally benign compounds called fluoroiodocarbons (FICs). Commercialization is expected in 1996 following further evaluation of their properties. So far no significant drawbacks to their use have been identified, and FICs are being taken seriously by the U.S. EPA, the Defense Department and at least one halon producer. Contact Environ. Technol. & Educ. Ctr., 3300 Mountain Rd. NE, Albuquerque NM 87106 (505-256-1463).

Item #d93oct118

"CFC Users Seek Exemptions from Ban on Ozone-Depleting Substances," P. Zurer, Chem. Eng. News, pp. 15-16, Aug. 16. The U.S. EPA was pleased that only a few CFC users in the U.S. have requested exemptions from the production ban on CFCs that goes into effect in January of 1996. They are mainly automobile manufacturers and commercial building owners (for air conditioning), and the pharmaceutical industry. But only metered-dose inhalers for respiratory medicines are likely to be exempted by the parties to the Montreal Protocol. Summarizes the Protocol criteria for exemptions.

Item #d93oct119

"Perfluorocarbon Use, Emissions May Face Restriction," P. Zurer, ibid., p. 16, Aug. 9. Perfluorocarbons (fully fluoronated compounds) are ideal replacements for CFCs except for one problem: their extremely high global warming potential. Also discusses the U.S. EPA's attempts to reduce perfluorocarbons emitted as a byproduct of aluminum smelting.