Aerosol danger in doubt

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34146, 6 May 1976, Page 10

Aerosol danger in doubt

I ■.\ Z Assn—Copyrtfrbr WASHINGTON. i The assumption that i aerosol sprays are destroying the earth’s pro- ; iteetive ozone layer may • live a myth, the “National » Observer” reports. In its current issue, the weeklt newspaper says a National Academy of Set- .■ ences panel was expected to f. issue a report saying that fluorocarbons used in manv aerosa! sprays are not an I immediate threat to human life, but that further studies [should be conducted ! Some scientists have said ! fluorocarbons from aerosol I spray cans ascend into the stratosphere, where chlorine is released to destroy the ozone layer. The ozone prevents ex- * cessive amounts of ultraviolet rays from eaching the earth. The “Observer" said htghi altitude air sampling had re- [ vealed that the impact of I fluorocarbons on the ozone had been greatly overestimated, and that recent (laboratory analyses had con- [ vinced many chemists that (the widespread theory was wrong. The paper added that even 'scientists most active tn adivocating the ozone-deva-Station theory now questioned their earlier conclusions.