Aerosol Information & FAQs
There are many questions concerning aerosols due to a lack of public knowledge as well as misinformation common today. There have been many charges made against aerosol products, the most common stating that they destroy the ozone layer. We have compiled this list of FAQs to help educate and hopefully remove the fear and confusion from this interesting and important industry.
What is an aerosol?
Aerosols are the fine particles of a substance hanging in the air. These micro-particles consist of either solid material or liquid droplets. They can range in size from microscopic like a tiny virus to the diameter of a human hair. There are many naturally occurring aerosols all over the world, the most common include dust, sea salt, sulfates, and carbon.
In the consumer world, aerosol packaging sprays a material through a valve using a propellant. It escapes as fine mist or froth. Many products on the market use aerosol packaging safely and effectively every day including spray paint, glues, hair spray, cleaning products, and many more.
Where did aerosol packaging come from?
Modern aerosols were developed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture during World War II. It was originally developed as a means to fight the disease malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, so they created a pressurized insect repellent that was contained in large, sometimes dangerous containers.
Over the years technology has gotten smaller, better and safer. One of the biggest advances has been due to the discovery of more environmentally friendly propellants. All Apex propellants are of top quality, environmentally safe, and meet all federal regulations.
What is ozone depletion and how do aerosols affect it?
The ozone layer is a blanket of ozone (a highly reactive gas made from three oxygen atoms) that surrounds the planet around 10 to 25 miles over our heads in the stratosphere. It acts as a natural barrier against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, so it is essential for life to survive on the planet.
Ozone depletion is still being studied, but current science tells us that the ozone layer is affected by natural phenomena like volcanoes, earthquakes, or methane from decomposition, as well as man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are a byproduct of air conditioning and refrigeration.
Do commercial aerosol products harm the ozone layer?
No. In 1978 the United States stopped selling aerosols containing chlorofluorocarbons for the consumer market. Any aerosols containing CFCs must be approved by the U.S. government, which includes less than 2% of all aerosol production and is primarily for medical products.
The consumer industry now uses propellants that are environmentally friendly and comply with regulations of the FDA, the EPA, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What propellants are safe for the environment?
Today, both liquid propellants and compressed gas are used to disperse a substance from an aerosol container. Neither contains chlorofluorocarbons and will not damage the ozone layer.
What types of environmentally safe propellants do you carry?
Apex currently has both liquified propellants (propane, isobutane, and butane) and compressed gases (difluoroethane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen). Often the type of container, the valve, and the substance being dispersed will determine which propellant is the most efficient. Our experienced team is happy to walk you through the process of determining which propellant will work best for your individual needs.