CFC and Ozone Destructuion

CFC s were commonly used as refrgerents and as propellant in spry cans.when these compounds escape into the atmosphere,it reaches the stratosphere intact as they are basically inert compounds.In the stratosphere,the CFC s are broken down by the sunlight releasing chlorine atoms.These chlorine atoms act as a catalyst in the destruction of o3 as shown.The plausible catalytic reactions leading to the destruction of ozone involves chlorine (cl) and (clo) as an intermediatary.

Formation of ozone

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when ultra violet radiation from the sun strikes the stratosphere,splitting oxygen molecules(02) in to atomic oxygen (o).The atomic oxygen quickly combines with further oxygen molecules to form ozone.

At Ground Level,ozone is a health hazard and is a major constituent of photochemical smog.However,in the stratosphere we need ozone to absorb some of the potentially harmful ultra-violet(UV) radiation from the sun (at wavelength between 240 and 320 nm) which can cause skin cancer and damage vegetation.

Ozone Layer

Ozone (o3) occurs naturally in the atmosphere.The earth's atmosphere is composed of several layers.We live in the Troposphere where most of the weather occurs;such as rain,snow and clouds.Above the troposphere is the Stratosphere;an important region in which effects such as the ozone Hole and Global warming orginate.

Sun Kills 60,000 a Year, Says WHO

As many as 60,000 people a year die from too much sun, warns the World Health Organization. The bulk of the deaths are from skin cancer caused by excess exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, ultraviolet radiation, say WHO. UVR also causes sunburn, triggers cold sores and ages the skin, according to its report, the first to outline the global
health burden of sun exposure. Simple measures, such as covering up when in the sun, could cut the deaths.Dr Maria Neira, Director for Public Health and the Environment at WHO, said: "We all need some sun, but too much sun can be dangerous - and even deadly. "Fortunately, diseases from UV such as malignant melanomas, other skin cancers and cataracts are almost entirely preventable through simple protective measures." Of the 60,000 deaths, 48,000 are caused by malignant melanomas and 12,000 by other skin cancers, the report Global Burden of Disease of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation estimates. More than 1.5 million "disability-adjusted life years" or DALYS - a measure of the loss of full functioning due to disease and death - are lost every year due to sun exposure, WHO believes. WHO and the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations are urging people to be extra-vigilant when out in the sun to protect them from UVR Everyone is exposed to UVR from the sun. Small amounts are beneficial to health, and play an essential role in the production of vitamin D by the skin. However, overexposure to UVR is associated with a variety of serious and deadly health problems.