ATMOSPHERIC LIFETIMES OF SELECTED FLUORINATED ETHER COMPOUNDS

Atmospheric lifetimes have been estimated for a selection of ethers, t he latter representing a class of compounds being considered as replac ements for chlorofluorocarbons. The estimates are based on laboratory measurements of rate constants for the reaction of the OH radical with the ethers, and a comparison with the behaviour of methyl chloroform in the atmosphere. The lifetimes for the ethers ranged from a few hour s to half a year, significantly lower than those of chlorofluorocarbon s and other replacements being considered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.