Reduction of CFC Usage in U.S. Exempted and Excluded Aerosols

摘要

The paper examines products exempted and excluded from the 1978 U.S. ban on the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as aerosol propellants. Consumption of CFCs still utilized for these products in the U.S. amounts to about 25.5 million lb (11.6 million kg) per year. Alternative formulations which may be used to reduce or eliminate the CFC content of these products are discussed. It is technically feasible to replace about 40% of the CFC usage in these products with alternative propellants available today. However, seven categories of products are identified for which immediate replacement of all of the CFC content is not technically feasible. Complete CFC replacement in these products must await the commercialization of newer substitute chemicals currently being developed by industry. Nevertheless, some reformulation is possible in the interim for some of the seven categories, allowing reduced CFC usage.