Some refrigerants can add to global warming

You might have heard several stories as to what causes global warming as well its effects on us. Refrigerants used in air conditioners give out CFC gases which have the ability to deplete our ozone layer. This can ultimately lead to global warming.

Effect of CFCs:

Before knowing the effects of CFCs on the ozone layer, it is very important to understand what the ozone layer is. Ozone is one of the three forms of oxygen which can be found in the earth’s atmosphere. Ozone shields and protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that are emitted from the sun. If due to any reason, the ozone layer breaks down, the harmful UV rays will reach the earth’s surface and come in direct contact with us. This will unfortunately increase incidences of eye cataracts and skin cancer.

Scientifically, any compound which contains chlorine ultimately leads to a decrease in ozone levels. It removes an oxygen atom from the ozone molecule and converts it into oxygen.

CFCs were initially used in refrigerators way back in the 1930s. At that time, people were not aware of the ill effects caused by CFCs. We now know that CFC gases rise from the Earth’s surface and reach the stratosphere. There the CFCs are bombarded with UV light. The chlorine atoms readily react with ozone molecules and in this process ozone gets converted to oxygen. Thus we are left with less protection and it further adds to global warming.