What do CFCs do to our atmosphere?

What do CFCs do to our atmosphere?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) rays generated from the sun. CFCs and HCFCs also warm the lower atmosphere of the earth, changing global climate.

What are examples of CFCs?

CFC = ChloroFluoroCarbons Chlorofluorocarbons are refrigerants that contain chlorine. They have been banned since the beginning of the 90’s because of their negative environmental impacts. Examples of CFCs are R11, R12 and R115.

What were CFCs used for?

CFCs were developed as ideal gases used as refrigerants for refrigerators. Because of their special characteristics, inflammability and non-toxicity to human beings, CFCs were massively produced and consumed, particularly in developed countries, after the 1960’s.

How do CFCs destroy ozone layer?

An ozone hole is really not a hole but rather a thinning of the ozone layer in the stratosphere that changes seasonally. Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules.

Why are HCFCs better than CFCs?

Because they contain hydrogen, HCFCs break down more easily in the atmosphere than do CFCs. Therefore, HCFCs have less ozone depletion potential, in addition to less global-warming potential. HFCs do not contain chlorine and do not contribute to destruction of stratospheric ozone.

Where is CFC banned?

A gaping hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica was discovered in the mid 1980s. The international community agreed the Montreal Protocol in 1987, which banned most of the offending chemicals.

Are CFCs banned in China?

According to EIA, companies admitted to mislabeling the banned CFC-11 as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) compounds and other chemicals. China, which joined the Montreal Protocol in 1991 and said it successfully ended the industrial use of CFCs in 2007, questioned the conclusions of the EIA study.

Is CFC harmful to humans?

Although CFCs are benign in low concentrations, high concentrations can affect the heart, central nervous system, liver, kidneys and lungs, and extremely high levels can kill. Of more concern, however, are the possible consequences of ozone depletion and global warming.

Is CFC a greenhouse gas?

Chlorofluorocarbons – CFCs The compounds that only contain carbon, chlorine, and fluorine are called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Chlorofluorocarbons are exceptionally strong greenhouse gases and are also responsible for the destruction of stratospheric ozone.

Why CO is not a greenhouse gas?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is not considered a direct greenhouse gas, mostly because it does not absorb terrestrial thermal IR energy strongly enough. However, CO is able to modulate the production of methane and tropospheric ozone.

Why is no2 not a greenhouse gas?

Neither nitric oxide nor nitrogen dioxide are greenhouse gases, although they are important in the process of creation of tropospheric ozone which is a greenhouse gas. Because of this, there is general agreement that the atmospheric sources and sinks of nitrous oxide are difficult to bring into balance.

Which is worse CO2 or NOX?

CO2 contributes to global warming and diesel engines produce around 20% less CO2 than their equivalent petrol counterparts. NOX This emission is detrimental to health, exacerbating asthma for example, rather than contributing to global warming and it’s found in its highest concentration at the roadside.

What is the biggest producer of CO2?

1. China. China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas in the world, with 10.06 billion metric tons in 2018.
2. The United States. The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of CO2, with approximately 5.41 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2018.
3. India.
4. The Russian Federation.
5. Japan.

What produces the most carbon dioxide?

Main sources of carbon dioxide emissions

• 87 percent of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil.
• The largest human source of carbon dioxide emissions is from the combustion of fossil fuels.
• The 3 types of fossil fuels that are used the most are coal, natural gas and oil.