Question

Decrease in ozone in stratosphere is linked to release of synthetic chemicals like .......

Answer 1

Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) are mainly responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere. CH${}_4$ and N${}_2$O also cause the destruction of ozone through a complicated series of reactions. CFCs are a group of synthetic chemicals first discovered by Thomas Midgley Jr. in 1930. CFCs are used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditions, as propellants, cleaning solvents, sterilant and in styrofoam etc. Once released in the troposphere, CFCs reach the stratosphere and produce' active chlorine' in the presence of UV radiation. These radicals destroy ozone by converting it into oxygen.