Greenhouse Gases and Ozone-Depleting Substances

Greenhouse Gases

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride

carbon dioxide (CO₂)

colorless, odorless gas

methane (CH₄)

colorless, odorless non-toxic gas

nitrous oxide (N₂O)

colorless, non-flammable gas used as anesthetic; laughing gas

sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)

inorganic, colorless, odorless, non-flammable, non-toxic but extremely potent; thousand-year lifetime

carbon dioxide

released through natural processes like respiration or volcanic eruptions

methane

produced through natural resources such as the decomposition of wastes of organisms and landfill

nitrous oxide

naturally produced in oceans and rainforests through soil cultivation processes

sulfur hexafluoride

comes from electric power plants and is an excellent electrical insulator

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

aerosol propellant used in refrigerators, air conditioners and foams

Halon

present in fire extinguishers

Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)

dry cleaning solvent and refrigerant, and also in fire extinguishers

Methyl Chloroform (CH3CCl3)

solvent present in many consumer products

Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)

in fire suppression systems

Methyl Bromide (CH3Br)

for fumigation of soil, structures and goods to be transported

Bromochloromethane (CH2BrCl)

fire extinguishing agent

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

aerosol propellants, same as CFCs

Ozone Depleting Substances

CFCs, halon, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, HBFCs, methyl bromide, bromochloromethane, HCFCs