Identifying Refrigerant Gases As The Cause of Ozone Layer Depletion

The causes of ozone layer depletion are many. All of them are categorized as manmade compounds which enter the upper atmosphere and cause damage. They are chloroflurocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. As these substances enter the stratosphere, they are present for up to 200 years.

Of all the causes of ozone layer depletion, chloroflurocarbons are the most damaging. Unfortunately, these gases are used in a diverse range of industries in numerous ways. For instance, refrigerant gas is used in the operation of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Chloroflurocarbons are necessary in various firefighting equipment, aerosols, the manufacture of styrofoam and anesthetics.

Research shows that chloroflurocarbons rank high among the causes of ozone layer depletion for several reasons. Once in the air, they are not eliminated by rain or broken down in the lower atmosphere. Upon reaching the stratosphere, the compound is broken down by the sun´s ultraviolet rays. Chlorine is released, which repetitively causes harm to the ozone layer. It takes only one chlorine atom to destroy the ozone for as long as two years.

The major causes of ozone layer depletion include fluorine, chlorine and bromine, all gases found in manmade halocarbons. Chlorine and bromine are particularly harmful to the ozone. Chlorine atoms come from chloroflurocarbons molecule, while bromine atoms come from halons. Although chloroflurocarbons and halons don´t hurt the environment and are safe to use, the same cannot be said in the stratosphere. They cause significant depletion to the ozone layer.

Free radicals, like hydroxyl, nitric oxide, atomic chlorine and bromine, are among the various causes of ozone layer depletion. While hydroxyl and nitric oxide are present in the stratosphere naturally, chlorine and bromine occur due to human use. As their levels of use increase, harm to the ozone increases.

Gradually over time, the causes of ozone layer depletion will significantly harm the earth. High levels of ultraviolet rays from the sun, or radiation exposure, will lead to soaring rates of skin cancer, a breakdown in the immune system in humans and animals, a destruction of plants and less plankton in oceans. In short, the balance of the earth´s life system will be in upheaval.

Since the causes of ozone layer depletion were identified, solutions were put into place to reduce or eliminate their usage. The U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocols address the problem internationally. The goal of these treaties is to stop the damage to the ozone layer by phasing out known contributors. With these actions, it will still take at least a century before the harmful substances are completely eliminated from the stratosphere. Once that happens, the ozone layer is capable of recovering, returning to its normal state in about 100 years.

A weakening of the stratospheric ozone was initially identified in 1974. By not addressing the causes of ozone layer depletion now, global warming is evident. As global warming begins, the temperature of the earth gets hotter, causing ice caps and glaciers to melt. Weather events, like droughts and hurricanes would become more severe. As the ozone layer significantly disappears, the earth would come in direct contact with the sun´s heat and its damaging ultraviolet rays.

Refrigerant tracking products from Verisae help to organizations manage substances that destroy the ozone layer as mandated by The Montreal Protocol regulations. Verisae makes it easier to report refrigerant usage and track ozone depleting substances (ODS) across all HVAC-R systems. Explore further Verisae's refrigerant management tools at www.Refrigerant-Tracker.com