question_answer

Refrigerants are considered to be a necessity in modern living, but are said to be responsible for ozone depletion. Justify.

Answer:

Refrigerants contain chlorofluorocarbons that act as coolant.When they are discharged in lower atmosphere, they move upward and reach stratosphere. There, they are acted upon by UV rays, hence releasing Cl-atoms. These Cl-atoms react with ozone and release molecular oxygen. Cl-atoms are not consumed in the reaction. Hence, once CFCs are added to the stratosphere, they have permanent and continuous effects on ozone levels.