Day 011 - 12 Jul 94 - Page 26

     
     1
         Q.   "This longevity in existing 'hard' CFCs is linked to the
     2        absence of a hydrogen atom.  Additional of a hydrogen atom
              would make a CFC less stable, preventing it from reaching
     3        altitudes where it could contribute to the ozone
              depletion.
     4
               "This explains the thrust of Du Pont's current efforts to
     5        develop 'soft' CFCs that contain no chlorine atom and/or
              include a hydrogen atom.  Du Pont claims such products
     6        would reduce the potential for ozone depletion to 5% or
              less and the greenhouse effect to about 10% of the levels
     7        of existing products.
 
     8         "Du Pont's scientists have also linked the longevity of
              existing CFCs, and their high capacity for absorbing heat,
     9        to another adverse potential effect- warming of the
              earth's atmosphere.  'Soft' CFCs having low heat
    10        absorption are being sought as substitutes."
 
         Would you like to comment on that last paragraph?
              A.  The bit about soft CFCs having low heat absorption I
    12        would say is inaccurate.
 
    13   Q.   But might it have been accurate according to the state of
              knowledge at that time in July 1987?
    14        A.   I would say that even in July 1987 it could have been
              more accurate.  I think one should realise that this is
    15        not actually a scientific article.
 
    16   Q.   I know that.
              A.   It is a precis that somebody has made of the
    17        scientific knowledge of the time.
 
    18   Q.   It is a specialist paper to the plastics industry, is it
              not?
    19        A.   Yes.
 
    20   Q.  " Prospects.  Du Pont's initial analysis of on-the-shelf
               'soft' CFCs shows some are disqualified as too toxic.
         For other potential candidates, different problems have
              emerged.  CFC- 141b, for instance, is viewed as viable for
    22        use as a blowing agent, but has aroused concern due to its
              flammability.  CFC- 124 and other alternatives face yet
    23        another hurdle- no system for their manufacture currently
              exists nor is one likely to emerge soon.  Moreover, costs
    24        of substitutes are estimated at up to three times that for
              CFC- 11.
    25
               "The only existing CFC considered a candidate for 
    26        substitution is CFC- 22."  That is what we now call HCFC 
              22. 
    27        A.   Yes, it is.
 
    28   Q.   "PUR resin suppliers say they are testing the material, in
              order to determine how easily it penetrates PUR foam ---"
    29        What is PUR?
              A.   Polyurethane.
    30
         Q.  " --- thereby reducing the foam's R- value in insulation