Effects of fluorocarbons on biological systems

The halogenated hydrocarbons, in particular, the fluoroalkane gases of Freons (generic name, halons), are widely used today in various industrial and household applications because they are felt to be relatively non-toxic. The effects of Freon-11 (trichlorofluoromethan), Freon-21 (dichlorofluoromethane), Freon-22 (monochlorodifluoromethane), and Halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) were tested on several different biological systems including eight species of bacteria, two species of plants, and mitochondria isolated from mung beans and rabbit liver. The fluorocarbons inhibited bacterial colony development, inhibited log phase growth, and decreased bacterial respiration rates. Mung bean and pinto bean seed germination was inhibited and the growth rates of both species were reduced. Oxidative phosphorylation of mung bean and rabbit liver mitochondria were also inhibited. Inhibition was dependent on the concentration of the halocarbon and also on the particular halocarbon used. Freon-21 was more inhibiting than was Freon-11 or Halothane, and Freon-22 was least effective on a mg/ml basis.