Chemical & Engineering News 1155—16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 Editor: Albert F. Plant Managing Editor: Michael Heylin Assistant Managing Editors: David M. Kiefer, James H. Krieger, Donald J. Soisson Senior Editor: Earl V. Anderson (New York) Senior Associate Editor: Howard J. Sanders Staff Writer: Joseph Haggin Associate Editor: Ernest L. Carpenter Assistant Editors: P. Christopher Murray, Richard J. Seltzer, Karen Joy Skinner Editorial Assistant: Theresa L. Rome Editing Services: Joyce A. Richards (Head) Editorial Reference: Barbara A. Gallagher (Head) Graphics and Production: Bacil Guiley (Head). Leroy Corcoran (Manager). Norman W. Favin (Art Director). John V. Sinnett (Designer). Linda McKnight, Gerald Quinn (Artists-). NEWS BUREAUS: New York: William F. Fallwell (Head), Rebecca L. Rawls (Assistant Editor). Chicago: Ward Worthy (Head). Houston: Bruce F. Greek (Head). Washington: Fred H. Zerkel (Head), Ling-yee C. Gibney, Janice R. Long (Assistant Editors) FOREIGN BUREAUS: London: Dermot A O'Sullivan (Head). Tokyo: Michael K. McAbee (Head) ADVISORY BOARD: Alfred E Brown, Marcia Coleman, Arthur W. Galston, Derek P. Gregory, James D. Idol, Jr., Gerald D. Laubach, Paul F. Oreffice, Edward R. Thornton, Herbert L. Toor. M. Kent Wilson Published by AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (202)-872-4600 Robert W. Cairns, Executive Director Division of Public, Professional, and International Communication Richard L. Kenyon, Director Arthur Poulos, Editorial Promotion Marion Gurfein, Circulation Development EDITORIAL BOARD: Mary L. Good (Chairman), Herman S, Bloch, Bryce Crawford, Jr., Robert W. Parry, B. R. Stanerson; President Elect: Glenn T. Seaborg; Representative, Council Publications Committee: Arthur Fry; PastPresident: Bernard S. Friedman © Copyright 1975, American Chemical Societv Subscription Service: Send all new and renewal subscriptions with payment to: Office of the Controller, 1155—16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. All correspondence and telephone calls regarding changes of address, claims for missing issues, subscription service, status of records and accounts should be directed to: Manager, Membership and Subscription Services, American Chemical Society, P.O. Box 3337, Columbus, Ohio 43210; telephone 614-421-7230. On changes of address, include both old and new addresses with ZIP code numbers, accompanied by mailing label from a recent issue. Allow four weeks for change to become effective. Claims for missing numbers will not be allowed if received more than 60 days from date of issue plus time normally required for postal delivery of journal and claim; if loss was due to failure of notice of change of address to be received before the date specified above; or if reason for claim is "issue missing from files." Subscription Rates 1975: nonmembers, U.S., 1 yr. $15, 3 yr. $32; Canada and Pan American Union $20.50, $48.50; other nations $21, $50. Air freight rates available on request. Single copies: Current $1.00. Rates for back issues and volumes are available from Special Issues Sales Dept., 1155—16th St., N.W.. Washington. D.C. 20036. An annual index is available for $20. Standing orders are accepted. Back and current issues are available on microfilm. For further information, contact Special Issues Sales, ACS, 1155-16th St.. N.W., Washington, D C . 20036. Published by the American Chemical Society from 20th and Northampton -Sts., Easton, Pa., weekly except the last week in December. Second class postage paid at Washington, D . C , and at additional mailing offices. The American Chemical Society assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by the contributors to its publications. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society. Advertising Management CENTCOM, LTD. (For list of offices see page 31)
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C&EN Feb. 10, 1975
Editorial
Another look at the ozone question A few days ago, I received a letter and an affidavit from the Clean Air Movement. The letter urged me to sign the enclosed affidavit, which then would indicate that I was in full support of a petition presented to the Consumer Product Safety Commission urging a ban to prohibit the production and distribution of fluorocarbons. It also would indicate that I endorsed a boycott of all aerosol products until the products containing chlorofluoromethanes as propellants are taken off the market. This impresses me as being a little overreactive to the actual situation. Last September, after the announcement of the possible ozone layer problem at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society this magazine carried an editorial about the ozone layer/fluorocarbon question and suggested a two-year research effort to study the problem. The reaction mechanisms formulated by such scientists as Dr. F. Sherwood Rowland of the University of California, Irvine, are, of course, quite accurate. But scientific verification of these reaction mechanisms in the environment of the stratosphere is unavailable at this time. We don't really know what is happening in the stratosphere. Under these circumstances, I think a ban on fluorocarbon propellants is just a little premature. This was the consensus at a recent hearing by the House Committee on Public Health & Environment—that a research program into the effects of chlorofluorocarbons on the earth's atmosphere is needed, but we should hold off making any move toward banning the substances until more scientific evidence is available (C&EN, Dec. 23, 1974, page 12). Like many others, I am very concerned about the ozone layer question, but I think it is impossible to make a really valid decision on the problem at this time. There is not enough information available. We all need to maintain a high level of interest in environmental matters, but we do need to maintain a proper perspective at the same time. I disagree with those individuals who of late have been saying that we need to relax our environmental efforts to save our economy. At the same time, however, I think that repeated overreactions to some environmental questions are destroying and undermining many of the more valid calls for environmental controls. The aforementioned affidavit noted "that the scientific evidence produced thus far warrants a ban. . . . " I think that is misleading. It tends to indicate that some actual verification of the danc er exists. We do know that the total ozone over the U.S. has fallen 1 ^o 2% between 1970 and 1973, but that comes close to being the extent of our knowledge. And don't jump to the automatic conclusion that this ozone drop proves the reality of man-made destruction. We don't know why this drop has occurred. It may simply be a return to an average level, it may be just a normal fluctuation, or it may be the result of other stratospheric influences. Between 1962 and 1970, for example, the ozone layer over the U.S. increased from 3 to 5%. The subsequent 1 to 2% drop may be just a downward fluctuation from these higher levels. The scientific community is to be commended for calling this "potential" problem to our attention. Now what we need to do is allow that same scientific community an adequate opportunity to carry its research further. I have confidence that scientists can resolve the question, but they need the time to do it. Let's not jump to the "political" solution to a scientific question. Albert F. Plant
C&EN EDITORIALS REPRESENT ONLY THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHOR AND AIM AT INITIATING INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION.
