Concerns about damage to the environment has led more and more manufacturers to produce chlorofluorocarbon-free or CFC-free products. This includes asthma inhalers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, when CFCs break down in the stratosphere, they release chlorine atoms which deplete the ozone layer. One replacement for the CFCs in asthma inhaler propellents is norflurane. Salamol CFC-Free Inhaler contains norflurane, along with medication for the relief of asthma symptoms.
Salbutamol
Salamol CFC-Free inhalers deliver 100 micrograms of salbutamol sulphate per metered dose. Known by the World Health Organization as salbutamol, in the United States this chemical is more commonly known as albuterol. Albuterol is used to treat asthma, and acts by stimulating specific receptors located in the smooth muscles in the lungs, called beta2-adrenergic receptors. Stimulation of these receptors increases the the activity of an enzyme called adenyl cyclase, which converts a molecule called ATP to cyclic AMP. Increased cyclic AMP levels relax bronchial smooth muscles. Albuterol is a white to off-white crystalline solid, not very soluble in water, but soluble in ethanol and very soluble in chloroform.
Norflurane
Salbutamol CFC-free inhalers contain the non-CFC propellant, norflurane. Norflurane is also known as HFA-134a, fluorocarbon 134a, unsymmetric tetrafluoroethane, or historfreeze 2000. It has a molecular formula of C2H2F4, which means that it contains two atoms of carbon, two atoms of hydrogen and four atoms of fluorine for every one molecule of norflurane. Norflurane is a colorless gas, or a cryogenic liquid -- a liquified gas at very low temperatures -- with an odor resembling ether. It has an extremely low melting point of -101 degrees Celsius or -149.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and a very low boiling point of -26 degrees Celsius or -14.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Surprisingly, the Materials Data and Safety Sheet indicated that while used in inhalers, norflurane may be harmful if inhaled . In addition, although it is not a chlorofluorocarbon, it still may cause damage to the atmosphere.
Ethanol anhydrous
Salbutamol CFC-Free inhalers also contain anhydrous ethanol. The ethanol helps dissolve the salbutamol medication. Enough anhdyrous ethanol is provided so that each canister can administer 200 metered actuations of 100 micrograms of salbutamol.
