Protecting the ozone layer from vanishing completely

Over the last few years, a number of places have been experiencing changes in temperatures like never before. Some people attribute this to global warming. A number of factors are behind the cause of global warming but one of the most prominent ones seems to be the emissions of hazardous chemicals in the atmosphere.

Though not many are aware of it, to a certain extent, air conditioners are responsible for this as they emit fluorocarbon refrigerants into the atmosphere. These refrigerants are also greatly responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer which protects the earth. This is due to the components of the refrigerant. Air conditioner refrigerants contain CFCs and HCFCs which can be harmful to the ozone layer.

• CFCs are the most harmful of all refrigerants as they contain fluorocarbon molecules which are by themselves harmful to the ozone. To add to this, CFCs do not have hydrogen molecules which make them stable in the atmosphere and do not break down till they reach the stratosphere making them potentially high ozone depleting substances.

• HCFCs are also refrigerants that contain fluorocarbons but these have hydrogen molecules making them easy to breakdown in the atmosphere. Nevertheless, they are still potentially ozone depleting substances, although not very dangerous.

The depletion of the ozone layer will result in the vulnerability of the earth to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For this purpose, the use of these refrigerants is being slowly phased out and will eventually be replaced by a non ozone depleting refrigerant.