What are CFCs and what is their role in ozone depletion?

What are CFCs and what is their role in ozone depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are mainly responsible for man-made chemical ozone depletion. The chlorine atoms act as a catalyst, and each can break down tens of thousands of ozone molecules before being removed from the stratosphere.

How does CFC interact with ozone molecules?

Bombarded by the sunÕs ultraviolet energy, CFC molecules break up and release chlorine atoms. Free chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules, taking one oxygen atom to form chlorine monoxide and leaving an ordinary oxygen molecule.

What were CFCs used for?

CFCs were developed as ideal gases used as refrigerants for refrigerators. Because of their special characteristics, inflammability and non-toxicity to human beings, CFCs were massively produced and consumed, particularly in developed countries, after the 1960’s.

What Does CFC mean?

chlorofluorocarbon
CFCs are gases that were widely used in the past in things such as aerosols and refrigerators and can cause damage to the ozone layer. CFC is an abbreviation for ‘chlorofluorocarbon’.

What happens when CFC react with ozone?

The introduction of ozone into the stratosphere occurs through CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs, composed by chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, have a long lifecycle, which favours their accumulation. Once the chlorine is released, it is able to react with ozone (O3), to form chlorine monoxide (ClO) and oxygen (O2).

How does CFC deplete ozone layer give two effects of ozone radiation on human health?

Ozone layer depletion causes increased UV radiation levels at the Earth’s surface, which is damaging to human health. Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders.

How does CFC destroy ozone?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules. When sunlight returns in the spring, the chlorine begins to destroy ozone.

What are CFCs and where do they come from?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are anthropogenic compounds that have been released into the atmosphere since the 1930s in various applications such as in air-conditioning, refrigeration, blowing agents in foams, insulations and packing materials, propellants in aerosol cans, and as solvents.

How do CFC destroy the ozone layer?

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules.

What is CFC in global warming?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) rays generated from the sun. CFCs and HCFCs also warm the lower atmosphere of the earth, changing global climate.

Which answer best describes the role of the ozone layer?

The ozone layer acts as a shield for life on Earth. Ozone is good at trapping a type of radiation called ultraviolet radiation, or UV light, which can penetrate organisms’ protective layers, like skin, damaging DNA molecules in plants and animals.