Depletion of the Ozone Layer 1987

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markdcatlin
April 07, 2009

In the 1970s, scientists first grew concerned that certain chemicals could damage the Earth's protective ozone layer. In the early 1980s, these concerns were validated by the discovery that the ozone layer in the stratosphere over Antarctica was thinning. While the ozone did not completely disappear in this area, it was so thin that scientists and the popular press started talking about an "ozone hole". A compromised ozone layer - and the resulting increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation hitting the Earth's surface - can have serious consequences. Overexposure to UV radiation in humans can cause a range of health and environmental effects, including skin damage (skin cancers and premature aging), eye damage (including cataracts), and suppression of the immune system. Scientific studies also suggest a link between ultraviolet radiation and adverse effects on some animal and plant life and some plastic materials. Because of the risks posed by ozone depletion, leaders from many countries decided to craft a workable solution. Since 1987, 191 nations - almost every country in the world - have ratified a landmark environmental treaty, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol's chief aim is to reduce and eventually eliminate the production and use of man-made ozone depleting substances (ODS). The first chemicals linked with the destruction of the ozone layer were the chloroflourocarbons (CFCs). The quick response of the international community to the discovery of a connection between CFC emission and ozone depletion was the recognition that the destruction of the ozone layer would threaten all life on earth. CFCs have extensive uses in industry, in refrigeration, air conditioning and foam blowing. Although the initial focus of the Protocol was on the phasing out of chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), subsequent amendments to the Protocol have increased its scope to 96 chemicals. Other ozone-depleting-substances (ODS) include carbon tetrachloride, a solvent used in electronics and chemical industries; methyl chloroform, also a solvent; halons and hydrobromoflourocarbons (HBFCs), used in fire fighting agents; and methyl bromide, used in pesticides. Limitations on the use of full halogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) may create occupational environmental problems. These are currently largely unknown, because the toxicology of most CFC substitutes is unknown. Therefore, toxicity testing of CFC substitutes was needed but not comprehensively done. Destruction of CFC and materials containing CFC could generate new chemical compounds, especially during incineration. In addition, problems with higher noise and vibration levels may occur when CFC substitutes are employed, and we should keep in mind that occupational environment problems could also develop when new routines are introduced for transporting, storing, and handling new materials. The phase out of the substances will lead many operators, suppliers, installers and maintenance personnel to handle and use replacement fluids which, compared with those substances they replace, may present unfamiliar risks of toxicity or flammability. There may, for example, be increasing use of ammonia in refrigeration systems. By agreeing to the terms of the Montreal Protocol, signatory nations - including the United States - committed to take actions to protect the ozone layer, hoping in the long-term to reverse the damage that had been done by the use of ozone depleting substances. And as weve recently learned, the efforts to reduce the emissions of ozone depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol also results in a significant benefit to the climate and the stratospheric ozone layer. It is calculated that the Montreal Protocol emission reductions will also delay climate change by 7-12 years. For more, go to the US EPA Ozone Layer Depletion website at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html . This was clipped from the 1987 video, Depletion of the Ozone Layer Benedick, produced by the US information Agency.

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mickdaniels1 (4 days ago) Show Hide

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Ozone dissipates in low temperatures
the antartic is 10,000 ft above sea level and the coldest place in the world the hole in the ozone layer ( if it exists ) is a natural thing , when freon was banned a lot of money was made by vested interests..the whole thing stinks to high heaven just like global ( carbon tax ) warming

gravelandgrain100 (2 months ago) Show Hide

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I have a personal theory on why the ozone layer was "created"-we have tested nuclear bombs capable of decimating all life on earth numerous times over. Now think-what was the result of radioactivity going straight up and through the sky?

Massive holes in our ozone-this is ALL our own doing. I have never believed driving to work daily is ruining as much as a megaton bomb test-STOP NUKES NOW!!!!

k8002pack (1 month ago) Show Hide

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That does not make sense whatsoever...what are you smoking?

simontimon2 (6 days ago) Show Hide

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but their hasn't been a nuke tested since 1991.
and the largest nukes were detonated by the russians

HelpSaveTheEarth2051 (6 months ago) Show Hide

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Hey can you post more of these?Its very interesting...

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Depletion of the Ozone Layer 1987

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