History factoids which are largely unknown

I would also give him a pass on CFC's. This was back in the day when kids were routinely lined up for DDT dusting...

A large part of the problem with CFCs was their use in plastics, Styrofoam, and as a propellant for aerosol cans (hairspray, paint, deodorant, etc.)

While the long term effects weren't known, you had to assume a molecule containing chlorine and fluorine should prove quite damaging when it decayed. We were perfectly aware back then of what chlorine and fluorine did.

Quote: Nareed

A large part of the problem with CFCs was their use in plastics, Styrofoam, and as a propellant for aerosol cans (hairspray, paint, deodorant, etc.)

While the long term effects weren't known, you had to assume a molecule containing chlorine and fluorine should prove quite damaging when it decayed. We were perfectly aware back then of what chlorine and fluorine did.

I've seen what sodium and chlorine can do, but I have salt in my cooking.

Quote: TheCesspit

I've seen what sodium and chlorine can do, but I have salt in my cooking.

There are salt formations and deposits millions of years old.

You also don't dump tons of salt in the atmosphere every day.

Fluorine, BTW, is the most potent oxidizer in the planet. It can even oxidize oxygen. Any wonder it pulls apart O3 molecules?

Quote: TheCesspit

I've seen what sodium and chlorine can do, but I have salt in my cooking.

The Hindenberg showed what hydrogen and oxygen can do, but we all drink water and even swim in it.

Quote: JimRockford

. If you were a child in the US in the 60s you probably experienced lead levels in your blood that would be called elevated today.?

I lived in the 10th largest city at that time, and I just don't remember traffic the way it is today, except in the downtown area which was only a couple blocks in any direction.

Seemed like our busiest road required double lanes (not 4 or 6 each way), and I don't remember traffic jams either.

But my memory could be faulty because of all that lead!!!

Chances are I was in more danger from lead paint on the walls in the house. Although my dad didn't let it get old or chipped.

Lead fumes, lead paint, leaded vegetables, leaded soil. I think the leaded paint scaremongering was just a way to allow tenants to sue their landlords and wind up with the paint remediation companies owning the home. Much the same way cops own all the meth remdiation companies and wind up owning the former crack houses.

Pretty sure it's bad for children's brains while they are developing. Apparently, not so dangerous for adults in the same amount of exposure.

Quote: Fleastiff

The Hindenberg showed what hydrogen and oxygen can do, but we all drink water and even swim in it.

Indeed. What the base elements are has less to do with the properties of the molecules and the chemicals that they make up. It's like complaints about mercury in vaccines.

Quote: Nareed

A large part of the problem with CFCs was their use in plastics, Styrofoam, and as a propellant for aerosol cans (hairspray, paint, deodorant, etc.)

While the long term effects weren't known, you had to assume a molecule containing chlorine and fluorine should prove quite damaging when it decayed. We were perfectly aware back then of what chlorine and fluorine did.

The HFCs and HCFCs being used as replacements contain Fl and or Cl. It is my understanding that the problem with CFCs is that they are so stable that they don't break down until they encounter high energy photons in the stratosphere. I'm no chemist, but it this seems like a prety obscure mechanism. Is it fair to expect a scientist to anticipate it in 1930? I don't think anyone suggested the idea of ozone depletion until we started flying jets in the stratosphere.