Simply said, aerosol sprays have an image problem. The rap against them goes like this: aerosols harm the environment; they contain CFCs, which distroy the ozone layer; and you should avoid them at all costs. Is all this true? In the past, yes. today,no.

Phasing out CFCs For years aerosol product contained chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which were used as spray propellants. In the 1970's CFCs were found to damage the ozone layer, and in 1978 the United States banned their use in commercial products; Canada,Norway,and Sweden shortly followed suit. By 1996, CFCs were almost entirely phase out. they are currently used in certain industrial machines(recycled in refrigerators and air conditioners) and medical products (inhalers), where their use is exempt from the Canadian Evironmental Protection Act (CEPA) ban.

Are today's aerosol safe? Even the new generation of aerosols presents potential health hazards. Many of them contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a group of propellants and solvents that are highly flammable and contribute to smog. The most common VOCs are combinations of propane and butane. VOCs are found not only in aerosol but also in many fast-draying products, including pump sprays, perfumes, and hair gels.

The risk of inhaling aerosol spray The biggest danger of using aerosol is inhaling the chemical spray. The spray's fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and are easily absorbed by the bloodstream, possibly causing a variety of health problems.

A growing number of teenager inhale vapors from aerosol cans in search of a cheap high. The practice, called "huffing," deprives the lungs and brain of oxygenand can cause brain damage or death. Parents should be aware of the sign of aerosol abuse: changes in a child's appetite or sleep patterns, a rash or blisters around the mouth, mood swings, and a chemical smell on the breath.

Safer substitutes When shopping for household cleaners and polishes, hair sprays, and insect repellents, look for product sold as pump sprays, not aerosols. Although pumps may contain VOCs they do not contain propellants, and the droplets they emit are larger and less likely to be inhaled. to avoid VOCs use sprays with carbon dioxide propellants or compressed air and stay away from fast-drying products. Finally, if you must use an aerosol spray, be sure to read- and heed-the label.

Prevention                                                                                                                                        Using Aerosols Properly                                                                                                          

• Always use aerosols in a wellventilated areaand do not inhale the vapors. the chemicals in the vapor can be absorbed by the lungs and the bloodstream, potentially causing headaches, dizziness, nausea, and respiratory problems.
• Avoid misdirected sprays; it can harm the eyes and skin.
• Keep aerosol cans away from heat and flame. even the heat of a nearby furnace cancause a can's pressurized contents to expands and explode.
• Dispose of the cans in your regular trash. even though many of them are now made of recyclable materials, recycling centers do not usually accept them because they may explode. Never disassemble, puncture, or incinerate an aerosol can.