Increase in Emission of Chlorofluorocarbon-11 Reported in Some Regions of East Asia

The threat to our environment from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) is real and warrants immediate attention. CFCs are classified as halocarbons that contain only the elements carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. CFCs were first synthesized in 1928 for use as refrigerants for refrigerators. Chlorofluorocarbons are both halogenated or fluorinated paraffin chains, containing only hydrogen, carbon, chlorine, and fluoride, usually produced as a volatile mixture of gases. The majority of common household appliances use chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants as cooling sources. Refrigerators and air conditioners containing chlorofluorocarbon are used in a variety of applications.

As is the case with many chemicals, the health effects from long-term exposure to chlorofluorocarbons and other fluorinated compounds may be toxic or cause early symptoms of health problems. If you are exposed to CFCs at work, you are advised to report symptoms to your occupational health and safety management team immediately. Health and safety regulations regarding health and safety in the workplace state that workers should not be in a position to inhale a substance that they may not know is present in their immediate environment.

Exposure to CFCs can cause adverse health and environmental effects including headaches, migraines, depression, anxiety, memory loss, skin rash, sleep disturbances, stomach irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, thinning hair, frequent urination, dry mouth, itching, throat inflammation, and respiratory irritation. As far as the environmental effects are concerned, chlorofluorocarbons adversely impact the earth's protective ozone layer. In Asia Pacific (APAC), China has witnessed increase in CFC-11 emissions especially in its eastern region. The production of CFC -11 is banned worldwide. The increase in emissions was attributed to illegal production as per researchers from the U.K, South Korea, Japan, the U.S, Australia and Switzerland. The increase accounts for 40-60% of the global rise in emissions of CFC-11.