In 1970 researchers started to observe different chemicals found in the ozone layer. One of the substances they narrowed in on is the CFCs. They noticed that when the atomic chlorine atom is released from the CFCs, it destroyed 100,000 ozone atoms. Because of the concern expressed by the researchers, a ban of CFCs was introduced in several countries, including the US. This did not solve the problem however, because CFCs and other ozone depletions substances started to be produced more often after new uses were found for them.

Countries became worried in the 80’s and by 1985 the more developed countries developed a formalized international cooperation at the Vienna Convention. As a result the Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. This protocol would have had the CFCs reduced in half by 1998.

Non Melanoma skin cancers, Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, are also caused by the UV rays, but are not as deadly. Basal Cell Carcinomas are bumps that can be found on the head and neck. They usually do not spread to other parts of the body, but they can penetrate to the bone. Squamous Cell Carcinomas are tumors that look either like bumps or scaly patches. This cancer can grow into large tumors and can also be spread throughout the body.

Premature aging is often taking for granted because it happens over long periods of time. This disease is caused by chronic overexposure to the sun, but by using some of the UV protection marketed, most of the premature aging can be avoided.

Other ozone depleting chemicals are put in the atmosphere from modern transportation means such as aircrafts. High-speed supersonic airplanes that fly high in the stratosphere are potentially dangerous to the ozone located in the upper stratosphere. The gasses from the exhaust from planes flying in the upper stratosphere can stay in the stratosphere for up to two years, so the life span of them is very short-lived compared to those of CFC's. But still, it does considerable amount of damage in the short period of time.

The most obvious solution would be to minimize the CFC’s which is the major source of ozone depletion. Replacing CFC’s with hydrocarbons and hydroflurocarbons (HCF’s) which are non toxic, stable and chemically inactive would be the best approach to dealing with the problem since they have similar properties. They do not cause ozone depletion since they do not contain and chlorine atoms. Fluorine radicals cannot be liberated by solar radiation in stratosphere and require a lot of energy to split up - thus it has low ozone depletion potential. However, the main problem with using hydrocarbons is that they are flammable and are responsible for photochemical smog if they leaked. In order to use HFC directly, machinery need to be redesigned or a blend of HFCs are used which gives them a range of boiling point. Some of these replacements have less energy efficiency than the original CFCs. This process is extremely expensive. But using inorganic chemicals to replace CFC’s is cheaper and readily available. However, they have their disadvantages. Ammonia is toxic and flammable, while carbon dioxide is energy inefficient and water has a limited operational range.

Ozone depletion also

Some topics in this essay:
CFC’s CFC’s, Cell Carcinomas, Replacing CFC’s, Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs, Chlorofluorocarbons CFC’s, Health Ozone, Montreal Protocol, Agency EPA, Switzerland Russia, ozone depletion, ozone layer, uv rays, cell carcinomas, premature aging, chlorine atom, squamous cell, skin cancer, ozone molecule, destroy ozone, Vienna Convention, cause ozone depletion, uv rays cause, squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, volcanic eruptions natural,