OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet                               EPA 749-F-94-012

        CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: FREON 113 (CAS NO. 76-13-1)
                                prepared by
                  OFFICE OF POLLUTION PREVENTION AND TOXICS
                     U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                                August 1994
_______________________________________________________________________

Chemicals can be released to the environment as a result of their
manufacture, processing, and use.  EPA has developed information
summaries on selected chemicals to describe how you might be exposed to
these chemicals, how exposure to them might affect you and the
environment, what happens to them in the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for additional information.  EPA is committed
to reducing environmental releases of chemicals through source reduction
and other practices that reduce creation of pollutants.
_______________________________________________________________________


WHAT IS FREON 113, HOW IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?

     Freon 113 (also called CFC-113) is a colorless, nonflammable
liquid.  It does not occur naturally but is produced in large amounts
(177 million pounds in 1992) by two companies in the United States. 
Because of ozone depletion concerns, EPA has restricted future US
production of freon 113.  After 1995, US production of freon 113 will be
significantly lower.  The largest users of freon 113 are companies that
use the chemical to clean metal surfaces.  Until recently freon 113 has
been used as a coolant in commercial and industrial air conditioners and
as an ingredient in aerosols sprays. .  Foam makers use freon 113 as a
blowing agent.  Companies also use freon 113 to make high temperature
lubricants and fluorocarbon resins.  

     Exposure to freon 113 can occur in the workplace or in the
environment following releases to air, water, land, or groundwater. 
Exposure can also occur when people use products that contain freon 113. 
Freon 113 enters the body when breathed in with contaminated air or when
consumed with contaminated food or water.  It can also be absorbed
through skin contact.  It does not remain in the body due to its removal
in expired air.


WHAT HAPPENS TO FREON 113 IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

     Freon 113 evaporates when exposed to air.  It dissolves only
slightly when mixed with water.  Most direct releases of freon 113 to
the environment are to air.  Freon 113 also evaporates from water and
soil exposed to air.  Once in air, it moves slowly to the upper 
atmosphere.  Because it is a liquid that does not bind well to soil,
freon 113 that makes its way into the ground can move through the ground
and enter groundwater.  Plants and animals are not likely to store freon
113.

HOW DOES FREON 113 AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

     Effects of freon 113 on human health and the environment depend on
how much freon 113 is present and the length and frequency of exposure. 
Effects also depend on the health of a person or the condition of the
environment when exposure occurs.

     Breathing large amounts of freon 113 for short periods of time
adversely affects the human nervous system.  Effects range from
dizziness to incoordination and irregular heart beat.  These effects are
not likely to occur at levels of freon 113 that are normally found in
the environment.

     Freon 113 is not likely to cause adverse human health effects
following repeat exposure to smaller amounts of the chemical over long
periods of time.

     Freon 113 is not likely to cause immediate environmental harm at
levels normally found in the environment.  However, it is likely to
remain in the air long enough to reach the upper atmosphere.  Here it
can be a source of chlorine atoms that damage the Earth's ozone layer. 
Ozone damage in the upper atmosphere can lead to increased levels of
harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. 
Increased, surface UV radiation can adversely affect human health and
the environment.


WHAT EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE FREON 113, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS
IT REGULATED?
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  EPA OFFICE            LAW                                PHONE NUMBER
__________________________________________________________________________
  Pollution Prevention  Toxic Substances Control Act       (202) 554-1404
   & Toxics             Emergency Planning and Community
                          Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
                          Regulations (Sec. 313)           (800) 424-9346
                          Toxics Release Inventory data    (202) 260-1531
  Air                   Clean Air Act                      (919) 541-0888
  Solid Waste &        Resource Conservation and Recovery
   Emergency Response   Act / EPCRA (Sec. 311/312)         (800) 424-9346

A technical support document can be requested from the TSCA Assistance
Information Service, (202) 554-1404.


WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON
FREON 113?
__________________________________________________________________________
  AGENCY/GROUP                                              PHONE NUMBER
__________________________________________________________________________
  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry         (404) 639-6000
  American Conference of Governmental Industrial
    Hygienists                                             (513) 742-2020
  Consumer Product Safety Commission                       (301) 504-0994
   National Institute for Occupational Safety
   and Health (NIOSH)                                      (800) 356-4674
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    (Check your local phone book under U.S. Department of Labor)