Consider the following:
1. Aerosols
2. Foam agents
3. Fire retardants
4. Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: C
The correct answer is (c), Only three.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are man-made chemicals that are used in a variety of products, including aerosols, foam agents, and fire retardants. HFCs are not used in the making of lubricants.
HFCs are greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. They are also ozone-depleting substances, which means that they contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.
HFCs are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which was adopted in 2016, will phase down the use of HFCs by 85% by 2050.