How does CFCs 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 happens when CFCs reach the ozone?
The abundance of CFC-11 decreases as the gas reaches higher altitudes, where it is broken down by high energy solar ultraviolet radiation. Chlorine released from this breakdown of CFC-11 and other CFCs remains in the stratosphere for several years, where it destroys many thousands of molecules of ozone.
What are CFCs used for?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants.
What are the main uses of CFCs?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are largely used as refrigerants, solvents, degreasing agents in the electronic industry, blowing agents in plastic formation and propellants for aerosol cans.
Where are the ozone holes?
Antarctica
What we call the ozone hole is a thinning of the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere (the upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere) above Antarctica that begins every September. Chlorine and bromine derived from human-produced compounds are released from reactions on high-altitude polar clouds.
How much of the ozone layer is destroyed?
Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s: a steady lowering of about four percent in the total amount of ozone in Earth’s atmosphere (the ozone layer), and a much larger springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone around Earth’s polar regions.
Where is the ozone layer most damaged?
The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.
What is CFCs full form?
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 are examples of CFC?
3.2 Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Propellants. Examples of CFC propellants are trichlorofluoromethane (CCl3F, Propellant 11); dichlorodifluoromethane (CCl2F2; Propellant 12); and 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (ClF2C–CClF2, Propellant 114).
Where do CFCs come from?
The most common source of CFCs are refrigerants, but fire suppression systems for aircraft and aerosols also emit CFCs into the atmosphere.
What causes holes in ozone layer?
Reasons for the ozone hole The ozone hole has developed because people have polluted the atmosphere with chemicals containing chlorine and bromine. The primary chemicals involved are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs for short), halons, and carbon tetrachloride.