Ozone Depletion

What is the ozone?

In the stratosphere, 15-30km above the ground, intense ultraviolet radiation from the sun forms ozone directly from the oxygen in the air.

The ozone layer protects plants and animals from dangerous levels of UV radiation.

The hole

Some chemicals, such as synthetic CFC's breakdown ozone more quickly than it forms naturally. Scientists have shown that this has thinned, or depleted, the ozone layer to such an extent that an 'ozone hole' had formed above the Antarctic.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are stable, non-flammable, low-toxicity, inexpensive substances used as refrigerants, solvents, foam blowing agents and in other small appliances.

Hydrochlororcarbons:

methyl chloroform - a solvent

carbon tetrachloride - an industrial chemical

halons - extremely effect fire extinguishing agents

methyl bromide - an effective produce and soil fumigant

How the damage is done:

CFCs are so stable that only exposure to strong UV radiation breaks them down. When that happens…