Identify some uses of CFCs are compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon and

CFCs contain no hydrogen. They are commonly used as refrigerants,

propellants in aerosol cans and for making foam plastics.
Name and state For example trichlorofluoromethane or CFC-11 (Cl3FC) and
formulas for some dichlorodifluoromethane or CFC-12 (Cl2F2C)
CFCs
Give reasons for their CFCs were originally used to replace ammonia as they were
uses (mention odourless, non-flammable, non-toxic and very inert making them
properties) more desired than ammonia
Describe problems with However, the uses of CFCs have led to the depletion of ozone in the
their use  stratosphere and increase in ozone in the troposphere which are
destruction of ozone both harmful and undesired effects.
and its effects
This destruction of ozone in the stratosphere is unwanted as ozone
acts as a natural shield against harmful UV radiation emitted from
the sun. Before reaching the troposphere ozone in the
stratosphere absorb the harmful UV rays. However, since the
depletion of ozone is taking place in the stratosphere, UV
radiation would pass through freely and harm living
plants/animals/humans that are exposed to the health problems
UV rays cause such as skin cancer.
Include equations. CFCs are broken down in the higher atmosphere by UV light:
Explain the
importance of the CCl3F +UV light  Cl+ CCl2F
chlorine free radical.
(NOT CHLORINE ION) CCl2F2 + UV light  Cl + CClF2

This produces a chlorine free radical which reacts with ozone in the
atmosphere:

Cl + O3  ClO + O2

And ClO and O2 is hence produced. Now the chlorine oxide free
radical then reacts with a free oxygen atom to form O2 and
regenerate a chlorine atom which can once again react with
ozone and destroy it.

ClO + O  O2 + Cl
Describe steps to The Montreal Protocol was then put into place to plan and carryout
alleviate problems  the phasing out fo CFCs from the atmosphere in order to maintain
Montreal protocol, the oxone concentrations in the stratosphere.. By doing so developed
education of the and developing countries can contribute to assists each other into
public, replacement taking action and replacing CFCs with HCFCs. However due to further
of CFCs research it was found that HFCs are even more appropriate.

For HCFCS, due to the presence of the hydrogen atom they are more
reaction than CFCS so are removed from the atmosphere in the
troposphere before reaching the ozone in the stratosphere. However
due to the carbon chloride bond still present in the compound, HCFCs
can still cause damage to ozone if decomposed HCFCs have chloride
radicals which diffuse into the stratosphere.

Discuss advantages of, While recognizing the problem and taking action to prevent has
and problems, with already been a large step taken forward, the time taken for the
these steps prevention methods to completely phase out CFCs will be a long
journey and require long term commitment.

Another problem is the use of HCFCs for a period of time. Their long
term health effects are unknown and so are HCFs. There is no way to
determine unless we monitor the atmospheric conditions carefully
 and over a long period of time in order to prevent any serious
damage to our atmosphere in the near future.
Make an assessment of
the effectiveness of
these steps based on Considering the severity of the hole in our ozone layer, the plans
the evidence you have proposed to phase out CFCs and stop the ozone depletion are
presented.  make a essential to protect our environment.
judgement  does the
steps effectively solve The steps to alleviate the problems caused by CFCs are effective as
the problem? they are both cost effective and environmentally friendly.