Question

What are ozone depleting substances ?

Answer 1

Ozone: It is a highly reactive gas present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere. Its major purpose is to absorb the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the Sun.

Ozone-depleting substances :

The substances that are responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are called ozone-depleting substances.

1. The major sources of ozone-depleting substances such as chemical Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, nitrogen oxides, and halogens are produced by industries.
2. These chemicals continuously find a way to reach the ozone and react with it which has led to the depletion of ozone and an ozone hole is formed.
3. Among all the chemicals, the chlorofluorocarbons (group of synthetic chemicals) released from refrigerators and air conditioners, have a major role in the depletion of ozone. The chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) produce “active Chlorine” (Cl and ClO radicals) in the presence of UV radiations, which react with ozone and destroy ozone catalytically by converting it into oxygen.