CFC

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the organic compounds primarily used as propellants

in the aircraft industry, refrigerants in the cooling industry and solvents. A CFC
is an organic compound that primarily contains carbon, fluorine and chlorine atoms.
This is why it is abbreviated CFC. Compounds of chlorofluorocarbons are volatile
derivatives of methane, ethane and propane. Prolonged use of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) in a daily lifestyle causes adverse impacts to the environment, such as an
increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide that causes the greenhouse effect
on Earth and depletion of the ozone layer.
Chlorofluorocarbons are chemical compounds that were developed commercially in the
1930s by DuPont. Due to an immediate lack of observable harmful results on the
environment, they were considered a safe, non-toxic and non-flammable substitute
for harmful chemicals such as ammonia, which was used for refrigeration and
propellants in the early 1930s. Without knowing the adverse effects on the Earth's
climate, CFC usage grew enormously over the years.

One of the elements that make up a large portion of CFCs is chlorine, which is
normally rare in the Earth's atmosphere. But it turns out that CFCs are an
excellent way to introduce chlorine into the ozone layer. Chlorine reacts
aggressively with oxygen molecules in the ozone layer, and with the help of
ultraviolet rays from the sun, it depletes the ozone layer, allowing harmful
ultraviolet rays to enter the Earth's atmosphere, which results in acid rain,
health issues and a toxic environment.

Due to such adverse effects on climate conditions, the use of CFCs was banned under
the Montreal Protocol. CFCs have been replaced with other products such as
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) including R-410A and R–134A.
(https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/269/chlorofluorocarbon-cfc)

HALONS
Halons are chemicals that contain carbon, fluorine, and bromine. They are used in
fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment. Because of their bromine
content, halons can destroy ozone molecules(O3) very effectively, thereby
contributing to the depletion of ozone and the creation of holes in the ozone layer
of the stratosphere.
Halons have been used since the 1940s, when they were discovered by U.S. Army
researchers looking for a fire-extinguishing agent to replace carbon tetrachloride.
Halons are very effective against most types of fires, are nonconductive, and
dissipate without leaving a residue. They are also economical, very stable, and
safe for human use.
Halons consist of carbon atom chains with attached hydrogen atoms that are replaced
by the halogens fluorine (F)and bromine (Br). Some also contain chlorine (Cl).
Halons may take up to seven years to drift up and distribute themselves throughout
the stratosphere, with the highest concentrations over the poles. High-energy
ultraviolet radiation breaks their bromine and chlorine bonds thus releasing these
very reactive halogen molecules, which in turn break down the ozone molecules and
react with free oxygen to interfere with ozone creation. Although chlorine is more
abundant, bromine is more than 100 times more damaging to ozone.
Halons are categorized as class I ozone-depleting substances, along with
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other substances with ozone-depleting potentials.
Halon production in the United States ended on December 31, 1993 because they
contribute to ozone depletion. Under the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting
Substances, first negotiated in 1987 and now including more than 172 countries,
halons became the first ozone-depleting substances to be phased out in
industrialized nations, with production stopped in 1994. Under the Clean Air Act ,
the United States banned the production and importation of halons as of January 1,
1994. The use of existing halons in fire protection systems continues and recycled
halons can be purchased to recharge such systems. It is estimated that about 50% of
all halons ever produced currently exist in portable fire extinguishers and
firefighting equipment.
Alternatives are now available for most halon applications. Existing halon supplies
from fire suppression systems are being recycled for critical uses where no
alternative exists. (https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-
almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/halons)