Introduction (NIST SP 861)

Published

April 1, 1994

Author(s)

William L. Grosshandler, Richard G. Gann, William M. Pitts

Abstract

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 identified halon 1301 (CF3Br) as one of a number of halogenated chemicals that were sufficiently deleterious to stratospheric ozone that their continued production and use required limitation. An amendment to the Protocol caused commercial halon production to cease at the beginning of 1994. The focus of concern is that the halon molecule is sufficiently stable in the lower atmosphere that it will eventually be transported to the stratosphere unaltered. There the carbon-bromine bond is vulnerable to photodissociation by solar ultraviolet radiation. The liberated bromine atom then enters into a catalytic cycle which has the net effect of consuming the shielding ozone.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 861

Report Number

861

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.861

Keywords

halons, ozone, aircraft engines, nacelle fires, simulation, fire suppression, effectiveness, compatibility, fire extinguishing agents, halon alternatives, ultraviolet radiation

Citation

Grosshandler, W. , Gann, R. and Pitts, W. (1994), Introduction (NIST SP 861), Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.861 (Accessed October 21, 2025)