---
cited_by: []
definition: |-
  CFCs are very stable chemical compounds, used in refrigerants, solvent, and
  (in the past in the U.S.) aerosols, which release chlorine (important) and
  fluorine (less important) into the upper atmosphere. In the stratosphere,
  CFCs are photolyzed (by incoming solar UV) to form carbon dioxide, CO2,
  hydrogen fluoride, HF, and ultimately (after multiple UV absorption
  events) chlorine radicals. These chlorine species are crucial in the
  destruction of the ozone layer over Antarctica and probably elsewhere (see
  chlorine). [Environmental Science and Technology; v 28; pages 1619-1622;
  1994.]
href: https://data.globalchange.gov/gcmd_keyword/e78ae4ce-807a-4417-ad6e-a458c6da6638.yaml
identifier: e78ae4ce-807a-4417-ad6e-a458c6da6638
label: CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
parent_identifier: d46a5046-e1c6-4a09-a2f1-db6a21eda611
uri: /gcmd_keyword/e78ae4ce-807a-4417-ad6e-a458c6da6638