CFC Replacements

The success of ozone protection has been possible because science and industry have been able to develop and commercialize alternatives to ozone-depleting chemicals.
  • Substitutes for CFCs in electronics: carbon dioxide

  • Substitutes for CFCs foam-blowing: water, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, HCFCs

  • Substitutes for CFCs in refrigeration and air-conditioning: HCFCs initially, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrocarbons, and ammonia

  • Substitutes for methyl bromide: 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, methyl iodide and sulfuryl fluoride


There are currently no replacements for Halons as fire retardants in civilian aircraft. These are no longer being manufactures but there are global stockpiles.


Worldwide production of CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs are shown below:



Hydrochlorofluorcarbons have shorter lifetimes and lower ozone depleting potential than CFCs and these are short term replacements. Data on some hydrochlorofluorocarbons:



Long term, the CFCs should be replaced by HFCs. These contain no chlorine or bromine and their ozone depleting potential is zero. They do increase the global warming potential, however.




Professor Patricia Shapley, University of Illinois, 2010