Protecting the Ozone Layer: Solvents, Coatings and Adhesives - Volume 2

The main ozone-depleting solvents in use today are CFC- II3 and methyl chloroform. CFC- II3 is a fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbon with a relatively high ozone-depletion potential. It is used because of its non-corrosive properties, chemical inertness, non-flammability, low viscosity and low surface tension. Its use is regulated under the Montreal Protocol and is due to be phased out by the year 2000. Methyl chloroform has also been used as a solvent: although its ozone-depletion potential is lower, it was included in the I990 London revisions to the Montreal Protocol and its use is to be phased out by the year 2005. Carbon tetrachloride is now no longer used as a solvent in most developed countries because of its toxicity and potential carcinogenicity, but it is used as a feedstock to produce CFCs, and as a solvent in developing countries. I t s use has been regulated under the protocol and must be phased out by 2000. There is no one substitute for ozone-depleting solvents. Ozone-safe solvents and alternative technologies (or both) can be used, or the cleaning step eliminated by redesigning the production process.