ABSTRACT
Chlorodifluoromethane may be released to the environment during its production, storage, transport, and use as a refrigerant, low-temperature solvent, aerosol propellant, and in the production of fluorocarbon resins, especially tetrafluoroethylene monomer. The use of chlorodifluoromethane has been increasing markedly since it is one of the few fluorocarbons not restricted by the Montreal Protocol for protecting the ozone layer. Since chlorodifluoromethane is an inert gas with a low adsorption to soil, most of the chemical released on land will be lost by volatilization. Since chlorodifluoromethane has a very high Henry's Law constant, is extremely stable in water, and does not adsorb appreciably to sediment, it will be removed from water predominantly by volatilization. In the atmosphere, chlorodifluoromethane is mainly removed by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. It is estimated that the half-life for chlorodifluoromethane in the troposphere is 11.1 to 17.3 yr.
