Halogenated Hydrocarbons

Those of us who served during the 70s and 80s used chemicals with common names such as:

  1. Carbon tetrachloride, that we used to clean electrical contacts,

  2. Trichloroethylene, that we used to clean grease, and perhaps

  3. Perchloroethylene, which was used as a clean solvent.

If we develop cancer from using these chemicals 30 to 50 years ago our challenge is to connect our cancer to our time in service. However, if we research these chemicals as being used on a Base or Ship, it's highly likely that we won't find them. That is because the government has chosen to retroactively classify all of these as halogenated hydrocarbons.

A quick Google search tells us:

 Halogenated hydrocarbons are organic compounds where one or more hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon have been replaced with halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine). Here are some common examples:

Chlorinated compounds:

  • Chloroform (CHCl₃) - formerly used as an anesthetic and solvent

  • Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) - once used as a cleaning solvent and fire suppressant

  • Methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂) - paint stripper and degreaser

  • Trichloroethylene (C₂HCl₃) - industrial degreaser

  • Perchloroethylene (C₂Cl₄) - dry cleaning solvent

Fluorinated compounds:

  • Freon gases (CFCs) like CFC-12 (CCl₂F₂) - formerly used in refrigeration and aerosols

  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - current refrigerants replacing CFCs

  • Teflon precursors and related compounds

  • Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) - used in non-stick coatings

Brominated compounds:

  • Methyl bromide (CH₃Br) - fumigant (now largely banned)

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - flame retardants

  • Brominated flame retardants used in electronics and textiles

Mixed halogenated compounds:

  • Halons (containing bromine and fluorine) - fire suppressants

  • Some pesticides and herbicides

Many of these chemicals have been phased out or restricted due to environmental concerns (ozone depletion, persistence in the environment) and health risks. The Montreal Protocol specifically targeted ozone-depleting substances like CFCs and halons, leading to their replacement with less harmful alternatives in many applications.