Answer to Question #110563 in Economics for Francesca

Question

what part of the ozone cycle do CFCs interrupt? What effect does this have?

Answer 1

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) interrupt the creation part of the ozon cycle. Chlorofluorocarbons, which were used for refrigerants, propellants (in aerosol applications), and solvents, and preserved in the upper atmosphere, decompose in the atmosphere under the influence of solar radiation, forming chlorine and chlorine monoxide, which can effectively destroy ozone molecules. As a result, the total amount of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere decreased, especially around polar zones.