OZONE DEPLETIONGroup 7

OZONE (), OZONE LAYER (OZONOSPHERE) AND OZONE DEPLETION Ozone () is a strong-smelling, slightly bluish gas. It is composed of three

oxygen atoms and is regarded as “the Jekyll and Hyde” of the atmosphere. About 90% of all ozone is located in the upper regions of the stratosphere: the rest is at ground level and is responsible for warming globe.

The ozone layer or ozone shield refers to a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's UV radiation. It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) relative to other parts of the atmosphere, although it is still very small relative to other gases in the stratosphere.

Ozone depletion is the decline in the total volume of ozone in ozone layer. It caused by the usage of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) which was regarded as “wonder chemicals” and now they are considered as “killers”.

CAUSE OF OZONE DEPLETION

1. Using of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Chlorofluorocarbons pluck off one of the three oxygen atoms in the ozone where it can destroy more than 100,000 ozone molecules.

2 . CFC Emissions Around the GlobeUses Of CFCs Western Europe

United States

• Refrigerant• Aerosol• Cleaning agents• In the manufacture of fire

extinguishers and styrofoam

20%40%10%30%

45%1%15%40%

EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETION

1.Allows more ultraviolet (UV) to reach the earth.

2.Make people more vulnerable to a variety of infectious diseases.

3.Disrupt the food chain.

4.Destroy microorganisms and mutation in some marine organism.

5.Disrupt the climate.

SOLUTIONS TO OZONE DEPLETION

1. Ban the use and production of CFCs, halons, and other ODS by the year 2000.

2. Require all service stations and auto repair shops to recycle CFCs.

3. Prohibit the sale of new CFC-laden products – from refrigerators to dry-cleaning solvents.

4. Ban all cars equipped with CFC-using air conditioners.

5. Prohibit the use of nearly all CFCs in most industrial processes except in drug manufacturing medical devices and military specifications that require them.

SOLUTIONS TO OZONE DEPLETION

6. Ban the use of plastic foam for food packaging.

7. Prohibit the use of building insulators with CFC compounds.

8. Require service station and auto repair shops to capture and recycle Freon.

9. The use of Freon substitutes or alternatives/replacement for CFCs.

10. Reuse CFCs by means of recycler machine.