What are Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)?
Ozone is a poisonous gas made up of three oxygen molecules. A thin layer of ozone high up in the stratosphere absorbs all but a small fraction of the harmful ultraviolet rays (UV-B) coming from the Sun. Without this protection, life on earth as we know it would be impossible. Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are known as halocarbons compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, bromine carbon, hydrogen such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or Freon. When released into the atmosphere they eventually reach the stratosphere where they are broken apart by solar radiation to release chlorine atoms. The chlorine reacts strongly with the ozone molecules, forming chlorine oxide. The chlorine oxide is broken down again by solar radiation and the re-released chlorine atoms attack more ozone molecules. If we do not reduce the release of ODSs, eventually the protective ozone layer will no longer be able to absorb the harmful UV-B rays with disastrous consequences for mankind. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP
