Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are highly stable compounds that are used as propellents in spray cans and in refrigeration units. The United States has banned the use of CFCs but a world wide ban is not in the near future. The increase of CFCs in the atmos phere is about 4% annually (Botkin and Keller). Currently, CFCs are estimated to make up about 15% to 25% of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect. This trace gas may absorb 10 to 20 thousand times more infrared radiation than carbon dioxide. Due to the stability of CFCs they remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time (65 to 111 years). In the stratosphere, CFCs deplete the ozone which leads to other environmental problems perhaps even more devistating (Miller, 1993).

Questions for thought:

1. In this century which countries have been most responsible for the addition of CFCs into the atmosphere? Why?
2. List items in your home that still have the possibility of leaking CFCs into the atmosphere.
3. List items in your home that once might have, but no longer are manufactured with the use of CFCs.
4. Explain why CFCs may be more undesirable in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.