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CFCs and the ozone
CFCs and the Ozone
Over the past decades chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been used widely all over the world. CFCs are used in aerosols, air conditioning systems, fridges and freezers, dry cleaning processes, home insulation and fire extinguishers. CFCs were highly favored in the past because they are exceptionally stable, nontoxic and non-flammable. In recent years however, scientists have confirmed that the compounds destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere. CFCs are chemical compounds consisting of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms. Some CFCs also contain hydrogen atoms. When CFCs are released in the air, their exceptional stability allow them to mix and rise slowly into the stratosphere - a layer in the atmosphere six to thirty miles above earth surface. CFCs can remain in the there for 120 years and even if production stopped immediately, these gases will be in the atmosphere until about the year 2050. In the atmosphere ultraviolet radiation breaks CFCs apart releasing very reactive chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms react with the ozone, converting it into ordinary oxygen. the chlorine will react over and over again, meaning that one CFC molecule can destroy thousands of ozone molecules. Ozone is considered as a pollutant at ground level, where it may have harmful respiratory effects on humans' respiratory system when it is in a high concentration. So, why should anyone care if the ozone layer is destroyed in the stratosphere since this is happening well above us? Although it is considered a pollutant at ground level, ozone is something beneficial in the stratosphere where it shields the earth's surface from ultraviolet light. The ordinary oxygen(O2) to which ozone(O3) is converted to lacks the ozone's ability to filter out ultraviolet light. Halons also destroy the stratospheric ozone. They are bromine - containing compounds used in fire extinguishers. Bromine atoms may be detached from halons in the stratosphere much as chlorine atoms are detached from CFCs. These bromine atoms are efficient ozone destroyers. These harmful gases also contribute to the greenhouse effect which is the warming of Earth. For more information on the greenhouse effect go to The Greenhouse effect. With the damage being caused, increased levels of ultraviolet radiation passing through the stratosphere may result in mare cases of skin cancer in humans. The productivity of and quality of plant species may be lowered, while harm is also probable for small marine creatures like plankton, the larvae of fish and other links in the essential food chain of the sea. Consequences of ultraviolet light: * Sunburn
* cataracts
* Weakened immune system
* damage working of cells Remedial measures: * Heap and practical activities
* Ozone-destroying CFCs should be banned
* Recycling? |
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