Rumours Surrounding European EnSolv Ban Are False
There have been reports circulating recently stating that EnSolv is to be banned in Europe because of its ozone depletion potential (ODP). However, this is not true; as part of its continuing commitment to the Montreal Protocol process, the European Parliament monitors known and potential ozone depleting substances used in refrigeration, fumigation and solvent-cleaning processes to ensure that the European Union meets its international responsibilities. As a result of the rapid increase in usage of EnSolv for vapour degreasing, the use of the main constituent, n-Propyl Bromide (nPB), will, in future, be monitored but not restricted or banned. Volatile halogenated compounds are the substances that most affect the ozone layer. Compounds containing fluorine, in particular, are under constant review as flourine is the most reactive of the halogens. The original fluorocarbons, CFC R11 and 113, sold in Europe as Freon and Arklone, were used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants and cleaning s...