Other Names

CFC, Dichlorofluromethane, CF₂Cl₂ ( CFC-12 ), Trichlorofluromethane, CFCl ₃ ( CFC-11)

Definition

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the hydrocarbons containing both chlorine and fluorine (CFCs), are used as refrigerants, blowing agents, cleaning fluids, solvents, and as fire extinguishing agents. They have been shown to cause stratospheric ozone depletion and have been banned for many uses.
CFCs are very stable chemical compounds. In the stratosphere, CFCs are photolyzed (by incoming solar UV) to form carbon dioxide, CO2, hydrogen fluoride, HF, and ultimately chlorine radicals. These chlorine species are crucial in the destruction of the ozone layer over Antarctica and elsewhere.

Applications

(1) Atmospheric Chemistry Models	(5) Tracer of Air Motions
(2) Air Quality	(6) stratosphere-troposphere exchange
(3) Monitoring of Biomass Burning	(7) Climate Change
(4) Health and Environment

GES DISC Datasets

Quick Search for 'Chlorofluorocarbons' with Mirador
Click on the corresponding 'WHOM access' links in the table below to access products containing specific parameter.

Parameter	Units	Platform /Instrument	Data
			Begin Date	End Date	WHOM Access	Doc
Profiles of CF2Cl2 and CFCl 3 (mixing ratios at different pressure levels) , pixel resolution	vmr	Aura/HIRDLS	2004-07-15	Current	HIRDLS2.003	Y
Profiles of CF2Cl2 and CFCl 3 (mixing ratios at different pressure levels) , global gridded	vmr	Aura/HIRDLS	2004-07-15	Current		Y
		UARS/CLAES	1991-10-25	1993-05-05	UARCL3AT	Y
					UARCL3AL	Y