Risk Assessment for Chlorofluorocarbons essays

Risk Assessment for Chlorofluorocarbons essays The use of chlorofluorocarbons has always been a controversial issue. Like many elements and compounds, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have benefits and drawbacks, and for this reason is why their use has been a topic of discussion. CFCs have various positive and negative impacts on the economy, the environment, and on society and health. Through assessing and comparing the benefits and risks of the uses of CFCs, we can come to conclusions to whether to continue or discontinue its use. The usage of CFCs has a huge, positive impact on the economy. CFCs are man made and produced with a simple chemical reaction, therefore it can be manufactured with high purity. Because of this, it is very uncomplicated and economical to make in industrial quantities. (Pool) CFCs have a high versatility and were used in hundreds of uses in manufacturing and consumer products. (Knapp 13) They can be used for so many purposes because they are non-toxic, non-flammable, non-corrosive, and very stable. (Smith and Vincent) The manufacturing of CFCs brings in about $300 million U.S. a year for Mexico. This is significant for Mexico because it is an economically developing country. (Smith and Vincent) Because the Montral Protocol banned the use of CFCs in some nations, developing replacements will be expensive, and all the ones tested so far are not as effective of CFCs. (Dhooge, Glass and Nimitz) The economic benefits of CFCs are respectable, however, there are also drawbacks for the envi ronment. One of the main reasons as to why the usage of CFCs has been so controversial is because of its negative role in the depletion of the ozone layer. Because CFCs are so stable, they do not readily react with other chemicals in the lower atmosphere. (Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs) CFCs migrate up to the stratosphere and are broken down by ultra violet radiation. This then releases chlorine atoms and they attack countless ozone molecules. (Knapp 12) ...