Question

Why should be CFCs banned? Write any one substance that can replace chlorofluorocarbon.

Answer 1

Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC):

• CFCs being non-reactive, non-inflammable, and non-toxic organic molecules are widely used in air conditioners, refrigerators, electronic industries for cleaning computer parts, etc.

Chlorine free radicals and ozone depletion:

• Due to their very long lifetime, they ultimately reach the stratosphere where they get broken down by powerful UV radiations and release chlorine free radicals, each of which is able to convert one lakh ozone molecules into oxygen and thus leading to ozone depletion.
• Example:${\mathrm{CF}}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{l}2}_{}$has a lifetime of 139 years.
• The reaction once starts, continues for a long time.

Hydroflurocarbon is a substitute for CFCs.

• They are man-made organic compounds that contain fluorine and hydrogen atoms.
• They don't harm people exposed to them and breathe them in.
• Unlike CFCs, they don't contain chlorine, so they make no harm to the ozone layer.