Do we still use ozone layer killing aerosols?

Factual Questions
1

I was recently at the doctor getting a Swedish prescription to replace my asthma inhaler, which I had got on prescription in the UK. The inhaler was a standard Bricanyl aerosol-style model. he doctor told me that he could not let me have a prescription for the same inhaler as that style of inhaler is not used in Sweden as it damages the ozone layer. Instead he wrote a prescription for a Bricanyl Turbohaler, which is powder based.

I was under the impression that back in the 80s and early 90s aerosols contained CFCs which damaged the ozone layer, but these days you cannot get such aerosols, meaning that current aerosols do not damage the ozone layer. Is this correct or do many UK (and possibly elsewhere) aerosols still use CFCs?

2

As I understand, countries that are signatories to the Montreal Protocol are obliged to phase out CFCs, and this includes the UK.

In Australia, Bricanyl aerosol was phased out last year, in favour of other non-CFC aerosols for asthma.

3

I am actually qualified to answer this specific question, for a change :slight_smile: I worked for a while for Glaxo Wellcome (or GlaxoSmithKline as it is now) as part of the development team for CFC-free asthma inhalers.

The Montreal Protocol led to the banning of CFC-containing aerosols, but did make allowances for “special uses” such as pharmaceutical products, eg asthma inhalers, because obviously maintaining the same performance is much more critical in a drug delivery device than it is in, say, a hairspray. It’s not just a case of changing to a non-chlorinated propellant, as the different properties of the propellant have an impact on the behaviour of the drug suspension in the can. Without going into details, let’s just say it wasn’t an easy job.

So yes, some inhalers are still using CFCs, but they are being phased out. Some countries have already banned the sale of CFC products altogether, I believe. Here is some pertinent info.

4

Thanks for the replies, especially r_k. You’ve definitely cleared that up for me.

5

I would think that the amount of ozone in asthma puffers would pale into insignificance compared to other sources.

And lots of 3rd world countries are still using CFC’s because there is simply no easy, cheap alternative.

6

Many electronic parts stores in the US contain spray solvents that are sold to “pros” only. I don’t know if all contain CFCs but I think some still do.