Freon (R-12) took the first hit, then we started with the global warming panic. The former was lucrative, but the latter is a moneymaker that just hasn't quit, even though the warming did.
“Maybe you can explain to me how all those heavier-than-air chlorofluorocarbon molecules are getting way up there into the stratosphere?”
I dunno, how does heavier-than-air plain ole water get up there? I would imagine these get up there the same way. Read the link I posted, it explains it pretty well.