What is happening to the “good” ozone layer?
Ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere and is produced and destroyed at a constant rate. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by manmade chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone depleting substances (used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, and solvents). These ozone depleting substances degrade slowly and can remain intact for many years as they move through the troposphere until they reach the stratosphere. There they are broken down by the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and release chlorine and bromine molecules, which destroy “good” ozone. One chlorine or bromine molecule can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules, causing ozone to disappear much faster than nature can replace it. It can take years for ozone depleting chemicals to reach the stratosphere, and even though we have reduced or eliminated the use of many CFCs, their impact from years past is just starting to affect the ozone layer.
Ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere and is produced and destroyed … changes can result in major air quality improvements. What Can You Do? High-Altitude “Good” Ozone Make sure that technicians working on your car air conditioner, home air conditioner, or refrigerator … www.policyalmanac.org ENB @ Ozone MOP-13 (Colombo, October 2001) Meeting of the Parties (MOP-13) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer convened in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 16-19 October 2001. The meeting was attended … Colombo Declaration. The Colombo Declaration recognizes links between environmental issues such as climate change and ozone layer depletion and, inter alia: urges governments and all stakeholders to apply due care in … www.iisd.
Sources That Can Harm the Protective Ozone Layer: Solvent Cleaning Products-36.1%, Sterilization-3.0%, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning-29.6%, Foam Products-14.3%, Aerosols-5.0%, Other Products Including Halons-12.0% Ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere and is produced and destroyed at a constant rate. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by manmade chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone depleting substances (used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, and solvents). These ozone depleting substances degrade slowly and can remain intact for many years as they move through the troposphere until they reach the stratosphere. There they are broken down by the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and release chlorine and bromine molecules, which destroy “good” ozone. One chlorine or bromine molecule can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules, causing ozone to disappear much faster than nature can replace it.
Sources That Can Harm the Protective Ozone Layer: Solvent Cleaning Products-36.1%, Sterilization-3.0%, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning-29.6%, Foam Products-14.3%, Aerosols-5.0%, Other Products Including Halons-12.0% Ozone occurs naturally in the stratosphere and is produced and destroyed at a constant rate. But this “good” ozone is gradually being destroyed by manmade chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other ozone depleting substances (used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, and solvents). These ozone depleting substances degrade slowly and can remain intact for many years as they move through the troposphere until they reach the stratosphere. There they are broken down by the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet rays and release chlorine and bromine molecules, which destroy “good” ozone. One chlorine or bromine molecule can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules, causing ozone to disappear much faster than nature can replace it.
