Many millions of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have safely switched from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-powered metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) to either hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or DPIs. China will be the last country to phase out CFCs by 2016. HFCs are global warming gases which will be controlled in the near future. HFCs in MDIs may be phased out over the next 10–20 years.

The Montreal Protocol has reduced the global consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by more than 95% from its peak value. CFCs are principal ozone depleting substances (ODSs). As a result, the consumption of HCFCs as substitute compounds has increased. In developing countries the increase is 20% yr-1 (in agreement with new observations).

The consumption and emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are projected to increase substantially in the coming decades in response to regulation of ozone depleting gases under the Montreal Protocol. The projected increases result primarily from sustained growth in demand for refrigeration, air-conditioning (AC) and insulating foam products in developing countries assuming no new regulation of HFC consumption or emissions.

It is well established that anthropogenic chlorine-containing chemicals contribute to ozone layer depletion. The successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol has led to reductions in the atmospheric concentration of many ozone-depleting gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons. As a consequence, stratospheric chlorine levels are declining and ozone is projected to return to levels observed pre-1980 later this century. 

The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a landmark agreement that has successfully reduced the global production, consumption, and emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). ODSs are also greenhouse gases that contribute to the radiative forcing of climate change.

We present observations defining (i) the frequency and depth of convective penetration of water into the stratosphere over the United States in summer using the Next-Generation Radar system; (ii) the altitude-dependent distribution of inorganic chlorine established in the same coordinate system as the radar observations; (iii) the high resolution temperature structure in the stratosphere over the United States in summer that resolves spatial and structural variability, including the impact of gravity waves; and (iv) the resulting amplification in the catalytic loss rates of ozone for the do

A report prepared by the UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel and published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. This assessment report provides background information on trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) together with its potential relevance as a risk factor to the environment and human health. In addition, the report draws attention to some of the current concerns of substances controlled by and relevant to the Montreal Protocol.

Firn-air and ambient air measurements of CHF₃ (HFC23) from three excursions to Antarctica between 2001 and 2009 are used to construct a consistent Southern Hemisphere (SH) atmospheric history. The results show atmospheric mixing ratios of HFC-23 continuing to increase through 2008. Mean global emissions derived from this data for 2006 – 2008 are 13.5 ± 2 Gg/yr (200 ± 30 10¹² gCO₂- equivalent/yr, or MtCO2-eq./yr), 50% higher than the 8.7 ± 1 Gg/yr (130 ± 15 MtCO₂-eq./yr) derived for the 1990s.