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LnvuonmenUI Piolection Oecernbei 1994
Agerny
Oflce o( Pollution Prevention anil Toxics (7401)
<>EFyVChemicals in the
Environment
FREON 113
(CAS NO. 76-13-1)
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Chemicals can be released lo the envi-
ronment as a result of their manufacture,
processing, and use The EPA has de-
veloped information summaries on se-
lected chemicals to descnbe how you
might be exposed to these chemicals,
how exposure to them might affect you
and Ihe environment, what happens to
them m the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for addi-
tional information EPA is committed to
reducing environmental releases of
chemicals through source reduction and
other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants
WHAT IS KREON 113, HOW IS IT
USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE
EXPOSED?
Freon 113 (also called
CFC-II3) is a colorless, nonflammable
liquid It does not occur naturally but is
produced in large amounts (177 million
pounds in 1992) by two companies in
the United States Because of ozone
depletion concerns, EPA has restricted
future US production of freon 113
After 1995. US production of freon 113
will be significantly lower The largest
users of freon 113 are companies that
use the chemical to clean metal surfaces
Until recently freon 113 has been used
as a coolant in commercial and indus-
trial air conditioners and as an ingre-
dient m aerosols sprays Foam makers
use freon 113 as a blowing agent
Companies also use freon 113 to make
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high temperature lubricants and fluoro-
carbon resins
Exposure to freon 113 can occur in
the workplace or in the environment fol-
lowing releases to ajr, water, land, or
groundwater Exposure can also occur
when people use products that contain freon
113 Freon 113 enters the body when
breathed in with contaminated air or when
consumed with contaminated food or water
It can also be absorbed through skin contact
It does not remain in the body due to its
removal in expired air
WHAT HAPPENS TO FREON 113 IN
THE ENVIRONMENT?
Freon 113 evaporates when exposed
to air It dissolves only slightly when mixed
with water Most direct releases of freon
113 to the environment are to air Freon 113
also evaporates from water and soil exposed
to air Once in air, it moves slowly to the
upper atmosphere Because it is a liquid
that does not bind well to soil, freon 113 that
makes its way into the ground can move
through the ground and enter groundwater
Plants and animals are not likely to store
freon 113
HOW DOES EREON 113 AFFECT
HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of freon 113 on human
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health and the environment depend
on how much freon 11 3 is present
and the length and frequency of
exposure Effects also depend on the
health of a person or the condition of
the environment when exposure
occurs
Breathing large amounts of
freon 113 for short periods of time
adversely affects the human nervous
system Effects range from di/./mess
to mcoordmation and irregular heart
beat These effects are not likely to
occur at levels of freon 113 that are
normally found in the environment
Freon 113 is not likely to
cause adverse human health effects
following repeat exposure to smaller
amounts of the chemical over long
periods of time
Freon 113 is not likely to
cause immediate environmental
harm at levels normally found in the
environment However, it is likely to
remain in the air long enough to
reach the upper atmosphere Here it
can be a source of chlorine atoms
that damage the Earth's o/one layer
Ozone damage in the upper atmos-
phere can lead to increased levels of
harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
reaching the Earth's surface In-
creased, surface UV radiation can
adversely affect human health and
the environment
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WHAT EPA PROGRAM omcta REGULATE FREON 113. AND UNDER WHAT LAWS is rr REGULATED?
EPA OFFICE
Pollution Prevention & Toxics
Air
Solid Wast* &
Emergency Response
LAW
Toxic Substances Control Act
Emergency Planning and Community RighMo-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§313)
Toxics Release Inventory data
Clean Air Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act / EPCRA (§ 304,311/312)
A technical support document is available from the TSC A Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404
WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON FREON 113?
AGENCY/GROUP
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiemsts
Consumer Product Safety Commission
National Institute for Environmental Heahh Sciences (EnviroHealth Clearinghouse)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (N1OSH)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PHONE NUMBER
(202)554-1404
(800) 535-0202
(202)260-1531
(919)541-0888
(800) 535-0202
PHONE NUMBER
(404) 639-6000
(513)742-2020
(301)504-0994
(800) 643-4794
(800)356-4674
(Check your local phone book under U.S. Department of Labor)
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