Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemical containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine atoms invented in the late 1920s. CFCs replaced ammonia, sulfur dioxide and other gases used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. CFCs were originally used for aerosol sprays,air conditioning and residential refrigerators.
Once data became available about CFCs reaching the stratosphere they became concerned about the stability of these molecules. The UV radiation from the sun causes the CFCs to break apart and release its chlorine atoms which react with the ozone. One chlorine atoms can break apart more than 100,000 ozone molecules and overtime causing the ozone to deplete.
If CFCs last longer in the atmosphere they can end up in higher levels of the atmosphere known as the stratosphere which can decreases the ozone thickness, reducing the protection the earth offers from the sun’s harmful UV rays. CFCs also contribute to global warming (Green House Effect). The addition of UV radiation to a CFC can result in the formation of a free radical of chlorine in the atmosphere. Exposure to radiation within food or substances may result in damaged cells, protein and DNA.
In 1974, sherry Rowland and Mario Molina suggested that CFCs would react with the ozone and destroy the ozone layer, the very same ozone that protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. The discovery of the ozone layer thinning above Antarctica by the British in 1985 created an enormous anxiety about the increase of possible skin cancer This lead to the creation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 an international treaty on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. Under this agreement, countries commit to phase out the production and use of ozone depleting substances. Canada coordinated the overall participation under the Montreal protocol, including the representative Canada international and implementing domestic policies and regulations to ensure Canada's compliance with the protocols requirements. Canada's goal was to drastically decrease the amount of CFCs that were being produced. All of these regulations and requirements were place in the mid 1990s.
Hydrocarbons are now used instead of CFCs because they are climatically very active and many are also extremely long lived. The most concentrated gases can be regulated This would be good for the Montreal Protocol for the global climate.
Once data became available about CFCs reaching the stratosphere they became concerned about the stability of these molecules. The UV radiation from the sun causes the CFCs to break apart and release its chlorine atoms which react with the ozone. One chlorine atoms can break apart more than 100,000 ozone molecules and overtime causing the ozone to deplete.
If CFCs last longer in the atmosphere they can end up in higher levels of the atmosphere known as the stratosphere which can decreases the ozone thickness, reducing the protection the earth offers from the sun’s harmful UV rays. CFCs also contribute to global warming (Green House Effect). The addition of UV radiation to a CFC can result in the formation of a free radical of chlorine in the atmosphere. Exposure to radiation within food or substances may result in damaged cells, protein and DNA.
In 1974, sherry Rowland and Mario Molina suggested that CFCs would react with the ozone and destroy the ozone layer, the very same ozone that protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. The discovery of the ozone layer thinning above Antarctica by the British in 1985 created an enormous anxiety about the increase of possible skin cancer This lead to the creation of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 an international treaty on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. Under this agreement, countries commit to phase out the production and use of ozone depleting substances. Canada coordinated the overall participation under the Montreal protocol, including the representative Canada international and implementing domestic policies and regulations to ensure Canada's compliance with the protocols requirements. Canada's goal was to drastically decrease the amount of CFCs that were being produced. All of these regulations and requirements were place in the mid 1990s.
Hydrocarbons are now used instead of CFCs because they are climatically very active and many are also extremely long lived. The most concentrated gases can be regulated This would be good for the Montreal Protocol for the global climate.