Early trends in the global tropospheric abundance of hydrochlorofluorocarbon‐141b and 142b

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are rapidly replacing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as foam‐blowing agents, solvents, and refrigerants. These substitutes, however, still contain chlorine and have the potential to deplete stratospheric ozone. Although the ozone destruction capacity of HCFCs is believed to be significantly less than that for CFCs, concern over unrestricted chlorine input to the atmosphere from HCFC use has prompted proposals for future limits on production. Here we report the first global time‐series for mixing ratios of HCFC‐141b (1,1‐dichloro‐1‐fluoroethane) and HCFC‐142b (1‐chloro‐1,1‐difluoroethane) in air collected at seven remote sampling stations. Global mean mixing ratios in mid‐1993 were 0.7 parts per 1012 (ppt) for HCFC‐141b and 4.3 ppt for HCFC‐142b. The global atmospheric abundance of HCFC‐141b increased by 0.9 ppt, or a factor of ∼3, in 1993. Global abundance of HCFC‐142b increased by 1.1 ppt yr−1 during 1992–1993. The results suggest that HCFCs are currently used extensively for replacing CFCs in selected applications. Furthermore, measured levels are significantly higher than expected based on available emission estimates and consumption predictions.