You might be thinking, “Wait, I used hairspray as a teenager—did I cause the ozone hole?” Yes, yes you did. In the 1980s, hairsprays, deodorants, and even asthma inhalers were packed with CFCs like R-12. Scientists found that the ozone layer over Antarctica was thinning like a bad toupee, and everyone pointed fingers at your Aqua Net.
Slide modul- 2 refrigerant | PPS
By 1987, the world got so spooked they signed the Montreal Protocol, a treaty so effective that it’s been called “the single most successful environmental agreement ever.” Even the countries that hate each other agreed to stop spraying R-12 into the sky. It was like the entire planet suddenly realized their favorite deodorant was also a supervillain.
Where Is R-12 Now?
Legally? It’s been mostly banned since 1996. But here’s the hilarious and terrifying truth: there are still millions of old cars, fridges, and freezers that use R-12, sitting in garages and junkyards like ticking environmental time bombs. If you have a ‘78 Chevy with original A/C, you’re basically driving a vintage ozone-destroyer.
And get this—on the black market, R-12 still sells for $20 to $60 per pound. That’s more expensive than good whiskey. Smugglers used to hide it in fake perfume bottles and ship it from China. Imagine getting arrested for running a “freon cartel”—you’d have to explain to your cellmate that you went to federal prison for a gas that makes things cold.
List Of Cfc Based Refrigerants – ETXOD