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Question

How CFCs are harmful to the environment and living beings? [2 MARKS]

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Solution

Impacts : 1 Mark each

Impact on the environment:
CFCs contain both chlorine and fluorine. CFCs are very stable and not degraded by any natural process. In the ozone layer present in the outer region of the atmosphere (25-40 km above sea level), CFCs are dissociated by ultraviolet light release free chlorine atoms. Free chlorine atoms catalyze the breakdown of ozone molecules (O3) into oxygen. This results in degradation of the ozone layer.

Impact on human beings:
Thinning of the ozone layer would allow penetration of UV into earth’s atmosphere causing blindness, skin cancers and mutations.


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