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Midgley discovers chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as safer alternatives to toxic and/or flammable refrigerants then in use.
Midgley discovers chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as safer alternatives to toxic and/or flammable refrigerants then in use. -
Commercial scale production of CFCs in DuPont/GM joint venture
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CFCs become known as "miracle chemicals."
Uses include refrigeration and air conditioning, solvents, expanding agents for foams and aerosol propellants. -
Lovelock reports persistence of CFCs in atmosphere.
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McCarthy of DuPont organizes International Conference on the Ecology and Toxicology of Flourocarbons with representatives of industrial producers of CFCs.
This conference leads to the establishment of industry-sponsored research programs to determine potential health and environmental impacts of CFCs. -
Molina and Rowland publish CFC/ozone depletion theory
Industry-sponsored program now focuses on potential for ozone depletion. -
DuPont begins screening candidate flourocarbon substitutes for CFCs.
Regulations ban (except for a few exempted applications) use of CFCs as aerosol propellants in U.S. and a few other countries. -
America bans CFCs as a propellant.
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Farman and two colleagues publish paper cocerning a hole in the ozone layer.
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DuPont increases development effort for alternatives to CFCs.
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Molina and Rowland are awarded the Nobel Prize for their work identifying the dangers of CFCs.