I was over on another thread talking R-12 and I thought I would give a little info about Freon and what it does(people are pretty surprised because they did'nt understand it fully)
1. What does Freon do to the Ozone? First the Ozone layer is made up of Ozone(duh) Ozone is 2 Oxygen molocules that are attached (Ozone on smog alert days is the same yet not the same,it gets too complicated to explain here) the ozone layer helps to reflect ultravoilet rays back out to space and also allows other light in the light spectrum to escape back into space after reflecting off the Earths surface. What the Freon contains is the harmful ingredient called Chlorine ( in moleculore form ) and what it does is break the 2 oxygen molocules apart but it does'nt stop there ,it moves to another Ozone molocule, then to another for what is only estimated to be for a 100 years...yes a 100 years... thats 5 generations of human life...now I'm not any kind of tree hugger but if you look at the increase in skin cancer in the last 20 years and the effect of green house gases on the polor regions then you begin to understand the effects of our folly. I work with refridgerants daily and I have check valves on my hoses and address leaks immediatley and recover each time and I make sure my crew understands the consiquinses(sc)...FYI

 

Tex, while you are correct in theory, it is just a theory. Many people do not know that freon is heavier than air, and remains so for many years. Many also do not know that the majority of atmospheric chlorine is produced by the ocean.

Since you touched on global warming, I will mention that astonomers have observed higher solar output and solar activity in recent years. So much so that the planet mars has warmed by exactly the same amount the earth has.

keep in mind that if CO2 output were such a concern, catalytic converters would not by used, as they convert exhaust gas to CO2. Far more CO2 comes out of a modern auto than a similar non controlled engine.

I like to question conventional wisdom, as it is often worthwhile to do so.

Chris

 

Thank you cujet, I might also mention that even though R12 freon does stay with us for about 100 years, the new c134 is still freon and does the same thing. The only difference is the amount of time it stays active. Instead of 100 years c134 is "only" active for about 70 years. where as it is a step in the right direction it is by no means the cure to the problem they would have you believe.