DuPont began to phase out its production of Freon CFCs in the 1980s after federal regulatory agencies banned their use. The interim replacements for CFCs are HCFCs, which contain chlorine that depletes stratospheric ozone but to a much lesser extent than CFCs. Ultimately, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will replace HCFCs with essentially no ozone destruction, yet they are classed as greenhouse gases.
Any of these gases that are used as refrigerants are designated by an “R-” number. Today, the refrigerants are colloquially known as “Freon,” whether they are made by DuPont or another supplier, as the term has become a genericized trademark.
Source: DuPont, http://heritage.dupont.comNote: For a list of U.S. EPA-approved replacements for CFC and HCFC refrigerants, visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/index.html.