"IT’S O.K. TO SPRAY": DID YOU
KNOW AEROSOLS HAVE NOT USED
CFCS FOR 20 YEARS?

Survey finds 7 out of 10 Americans incorrectly think spray cans cause ozone depletion

March 17, 1998 — marked a milestone for the aerosol industry–it was the 20^th anniversary of the federal regulations prohibiting harmful ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants from U.S.-made aerosol products. More than 1,500 common household products including hair sprays, deodorants, shaving creams and cooking sprays have been CFC-free since 1978, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration issued regulations prohibiting CFC use in aerosols.

But for the aerosol industry, the "Can-niversary" is bittersweet because most people still don’t know the facts.

"When scientists first hypothesized in the mid-1970s that CFCs might harm stratospheric ozone, our industry voluntarily phased out the use of CFC propellants in our products, setting an example for other industries to follow," said Dan Minogue, Chairman of CAPCO. "Yet 20 years later, the vast majority of Americans continue to incorrectly link aerosols with CFCs."

A recent Roper Starch survey commissioned by the Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO) found that 7 out of 10 Americans (71%) still don’t know about the 1978 regulations and mistakenly believe aerosols represent a significant threat to the ozone layer. Yet less than one percent of aerosols–"essential uses" such as asthma inhalers–are permitted to use CFCs; these products are also now switching to non-CFC alternatives. Most other European and Western Hemisphere nations, including Canada, Mexico, Great Britain and Australia, also no longer use CFCs in aerosols under the 1987 Montreal Protocol.

Through CAPCO and other organizations, the aerosol industry has been battling aerosol misinformation for years, most recently launching a new can logo reminding consumers that aerosols are CFC-free, and a new Web site, www.nocfcs.org. CAPCO also offers a free educational unit, "Another Awesome Aerosol Adventure" (geared for grades 4-8), which explains the technology and environmental impact of aerosol cans. Additionally, CAPCO has responded to more than 650 aerosol inaccuracies since 1991 in newspapers, cartoons, television shows and magazines. Those who have committed aerosol "aerrors" include Katie Couric, Drew Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, "Good Morning America" co-host Lisa McRee, and humorist Dave Barry.

"The ‘Can-niversary’ is a perfect opportunity to ‘clear the air’ once and for all about aerosol products. American consumers should know that ‘It’s O.K. to Spray!’–the aerosols we use every day do not use ozone-depleting CFCs, and empty aerosol cans are recyclable in most communities," added Minogue.

Supported by companies that manufacture and market aerosol products, CAPCO is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 to provide accurate information on aerosol products for consumers, media, and educators at all levels.

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