Ozone Depletion
THE PROBLEM (INTRO) The poisoning of the Earth's ozone layer is increasingly attracting worldwide concern for the global environment and the health effects of life on the Planet Earth. There is not just one particular cause for the ozone's depletion; the accumulation of different pollutants into our ozone layer has all added up and equalled out to create a worldwide problem. There is not just one effect from the poisoning of the ozone, but instead multiple ramifications from diseases to death. The damage to the ozone is increasing with every second. There are many ways we can help reduce the problem and preserve the ozone layer.WHAT IS OZONE Ozone is a pale blue gaseous form of oxygen, in chemical form it is also known as O3. Ozone can be beneficial or harmful depending on its location in the Earth's atmosphere. If the ozone is located in the troposphere (which extends from the surface of the Earth up to approxiametly10 miles) it is a harmful pollutant and a major component in smog and other environmental health problems. Troposphere ozone can damage plastic, rubber, plant and animal tissue. Ozone located approximately 10-25 miles above the Earth's surface; in a part of the Earth's atmosphere called the stratosph
ere is very beneficial. The ozone is a major factor that makes life possible on Earth. About 90% of the planet's ozone is in the ozone layer. Ozone in this layer shields and filters out the Earth from 95-99 percent the sun's ultraviolet radiation. A low level of ozone does not protect or prevent the sun's ultraviolet rays from reaching the surface of the Earth, therefore, overexposing life on Earth causing many diseases. REASON: CFC'S! The depletion of the ozone is caused by many factors, but the one cause that will be elaborated on in the next paragraph is the main reason our ozone is continuously being polluted. The major cause in the depletion of the Earth's ozone layer is due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons also known as CFCs are industrially produced chemical compounds that contain the elements chlorine, fluorine, carbon, and sometimes hydrogen that will break down the protective ozone in the atmosphere. Since CFCs are heavier than air, the process of CFCs reaching the ozone will generally take from two to five years to get into the stratosphere. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, the sun's ultraviolet radiation causes them to break apart. Therefore, the chlorine atoms inside the CFCs are released and will react with ozone, starting the destruction cycle of ozone. To show the extent of destruction chlorine can produce, "one chlorine atom can break apart more than 100,000 molecules of ozone" (www.atm.ch...). Chlorofluorocarbons are not a naturally produced chemical, but shockingly are man-made products. "CFC products and other ozone depleting substance are everywhere and come in all forms such as: aerosol spray cans, industrial cleaning agents, insulators, Styrofoam's, coolants, auto air conditioners, home air conditioners and refrigerators" (www.beyonddiscovery.com). Majority of CFCs contributing to depletion is the auto air conditioners in our cars. The CFCs inside auto and home air conditioning systems, as well as in refrigerators can leak out, and eventually will rise into the atmosphere destroying the ozone layer. According to Green peace, "The manufactures of CFCs and other ozone depleting products include: Dupont, Elf-Atochem, ICI, LaRouche, Rhone Poulenc, Nippon Halon, and Allied Signal" (www.greenpeace.org). The total value of all the ozone depleting products since 1986 exceeded $30.6 billion, with the United States producing a large majority of the products. There are other elements and man-made chemicals that contribute to the ozone depletion. Any form of elemental bromine that reacts with ozone is extremely dangerous. For example, methyl bromide is a compound that is used as a pesticide and fumigant; the break down of bromine atoms in pesticides due to the sun's rays, can be more than 40 times as destructive to ozone molecules than chlorine atoms. Halons that are used in fire extinguishers contain bromine, which also depletes ozone. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are known as HCFCs, they are categorized as class II ozone depleting substances because these products do not deplete the ozone as much as CFCs. HCFC
Some common words found in the essay are:
PLANT LIFE, Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs, O3 Ozone, Microsoft Encarta, Styrofoam Consider, Antarctica Protocol, Western Siberia, Allied Signal, Protection Agency, CFCs HCFCs, ozone layer, ultraviolet radiation, ozone depletion, ozone depleting, exposure ultraviolet, exposure ultraviolet radiation, marine ecosystem, air conditioning, conditioning systems, air conditioners, sun's ultraviolet, air conditioning systems, depletion ozone layer, auto air conditioners, ozone depleting substances,
Approximate Word count = 2087
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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