Halons

Haloner, Haloner

Name PRTR

Halons

CAS no

-

Molecular formula

-

 Halons is a collective name for a type of hydrocarbon that, besides from carbon, consists of hydrogen, fluorine, bromine and/or iodine1. These are very stable substances that evaporate easily.


Uses


Halons have mostly been used in fire extinguishers and in certain applications as a cooling agent2. Before the negative effects on the environment were discovered, halons were one of the dominating gaseous extinguishing agents on the market3.

The use of halons in Sweden is strictly regulated as these substances have an adverse effect on the stratospheric ozone layer. In Sweden halon fire extinguishers are only allowed in airplanes, helicopters, submarines, combat vehicles and combat control centres in ships or underground4.


Sources and transportation pathways


As the use of halons is strictly regulated, there are only a few emission sources. Diffuse emissions may occur from old facilities where halons exist as a cooling agent and from the limited use in fire extinguishers5.


Effects on environment and health


Halons comprise a broad group of substances with varying effects on the environment and health. Generally, halons contribute to depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. A thinner ozone layer contributes to increased radiation on earth. Some halons are also poisonous to aquatic organisms6.

Some halons are believed to cause cancer or genetic defects7, whereas others may cause skin irritation and severe eye irritation8.


International agreements and regulations


Halons are regulated by the UN Montreal Protocol as well as the EU VOC Solvents Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC) and the EU Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer (EC 1005/2009). The UN Protocol on PRTRs and the EU E-PRTR regulation regulate how data on halon emissions is made available.




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1 https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Brandskydd/Brandskyddsutrustning/Brandslackare/ 
2 http://www.naturvardsverket.se/Sa-mar-miljon/Klimat-och-luft/Ozonskiktet/Ozonnedbrytande-amnen/Amnen-som-bryter-ner-ozonskiktet/
3 https://www.gbgbrandservice.se/produkter/slackmedel/halon-hfc/
4 https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Brandskydd/Brandskyddsutrustning/Brandslackare/
5 http://prtr.ec.europa.eu/#/pollutantinfo
6 https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/107203
7 https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/107203
8 https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory-database/-/discli/details/97971