There were other uses for CFCs and freon beside as a refrigerant such as:
1. Solutions and chemical for industrial cleaning.
2. Foaming substances (Manufacturing of styrofoam for example)
3. Fire extingushing chemicals
4. Sprays

In these applications, they would cause pollution much more than as a refrigerant in refrigerators and A/C, if maintened correctly, and not disposed.

Halon is nasty too.
The air conditioner lineset flush for acid is R134A under a different name too.