What are CFCs used for?

What are CFCs used for?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants.

How do CFCs affect human health?

CFCs can generally impair the human immune system, and scientists have linked direct expose to problems with the central nervous system . These problems might include difficulty breathing or injury to the heart, kidneys and liver.

What produces CFC?

The most common source of CFCs are refrigerants, but fire suppression systems for aircraft and aerosols also emit CFCs into the atmosphere.

What is full form of CFC?

CFCs are gases that were widely used in the past in things such as aerosols and refrigerators and can cause damage to the ozone layer. CFC is an abbreviation for 'chlorofluorocarbon'.

How does CFC destroy ozone?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules.

Is CFC still used today?

Today, the use of CFCs is outlawed by 197 countries around the world and scientists concur that the ozone layer is slowly recovering as a result.

What happens if you breathe in CFC?

Workers should be warned about the hazards of exposure to CFC-113–particularly that exposure can cause death by cardiac arrhythmia or asphyxiation. Furthermore, workers should be warned that CFC-113 is especially hazardous when used in confined spaces or in poorly ventilated areas.

Why are CFCs used as refrigerants?

These compounds are non-flammable, tasteless and odourless, and chemically stable. Their other important property is their volatility, having boiling points close to zero degrees Centigrade. These physical properties make them ideal for use as refrigerant gases in air conditioners, freezers and refrigerators.

Are CFCs bad?

Ozone depletion Man-made compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy ozone in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere). ... Stratospheric ozone loss can result in potential harm to human health and the environment, including: increased incidence of skin cancer and cataracts.

What is the meaning of CFC in biology?

chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), any of several organic compounds composed of carbon, fluorine, and chlorine. When CFCs also contain hydrogen in place of one or more chlorines, they are called hydrochlorofluorocarbons, or HCFCs.

What does CFC stand for in chemistry?

• The acronym CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbon. Chlorofluorocarbons are a type of organic compound that is made exclusively of chlorine, fluorine and carbon.

How does CFC affect humans?

• Although CFCs are benign in low concentrations, high concentrations can affect the heart, central nervous system, liver, kidneys and lungs, and extremely high levels can kill. Of more concern, however, are the possible consequences of ozone depletion and global warming.

What is the formula for CFC?

• From: Name that compound: The numbers game for CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, and Halons . ‘For CFC-11: 90 + , so the number of carbon atoms is 1, the number of hydrogen atoms is zero, the number of fluorine atoms is 1, and the number of chlorine atoms is (2 + 2 - 0 - 1 = 3). So the chemical formula for CFC-11 is CFCl3.

What does the CFC do?

• CFCs, also known as chlorofluorocarbons, are compounds that are most commonly used as refrigerants, propellants and solvents. Best known as "Freon," CFCs have been discontinued as the main source of coolant in air conditioners and refrigerators because of their ability to deplete the ozone layer in the atmosphere.