DO HYDROFLUOROCARBONS DESTROY STRATOSPHERIC OZONE

Hydrofluorocarbons, many of which contain a CF3 group, are one of the major substitutes for the chlorofluorocarbons and halons that are bein g phased out because they contribute to stratospheric ozone depletion. It is critical to ensure that CF3 groups do not cause significant ozo ne depletion. The rate coefficients for the key reactions that determi ne the efficiency of the CF3 radical as a catalyst for ozone loss in t he stratosphere have been measured and used in a model to calculate th e possible depletion of ozone. From these results, it is concluded tha t the ozone depletion potentials related to the presence of the CF3 gr oup in hydrofluorocarbons are negligibly small.