Ozone is a type of molecule that is made of 3 connected oxygen atoms, which
is written in scientific terms as O3. It is mostly found in the stratosphere,
and absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise find it's way
down to us and cause a variety of problems for humans, animals, and plants.
Stratospheric ozone is different from ground-level ozone, which contributes to
smog in our cities.
How could CFCs and HCFCs Affect the Ozone Layer?
Ozone is constantly being made in our atmosphere, mostly by collisions of
oxygen molecules (O2) and oxygen atoms (O). Ozone is also constantly
being destroyed by similar collisions between O3 molecules and O
atoms, resulting in pairs of O2 molecules. In theory then, there is
a balance between creation and destruction that results in a constant layer of
ozone.
The full names for CFCs and HCFCs are Chlorofluorocarbons and
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons. CFC molecules are made of chlorine, fluorine, and
carbon, and HCFC molecules also have hydrogen atoms attached. The widely
accepted theory of ozone depletion is that these molecules, once emitted to the
atmosphere, eventually are broken down over long periods of time into their
individual atoms. The chlorine atoms then react with the ozone and cause ozone
destruction to happen faster than ozone creation.
Why is Ozone Depletion Considered Bad?
Because stratospheric ozone protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays,
ozone depletion means people, animals and plants are all affected by these rays
when the ozone layer fails to stop them. This may include:
Increases in skin cancers
Increases in cataracts of the eyes which can result in loss of sight
Reduction in the yields of important food crops, according to some
scientists
Why can't R-410A Affect the Ozone Layer?
R-410A is not a CFC or an HCFC. It is called an HFC, or hydrofluorocarbon,
and is made of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Because it has no
chlorine, it won't interact with the ozone layer once it breaks down.
