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What is CFC ?

CFC stands for Chlorofluorocarbon. It is a human-made chemical compound that contains chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. CFCs were widely used in various industrial and commercial applications, including refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosol propellants, and foam manufacturing.

CFCs gained popularity because of their stability, non-flammability, and low toxicity. However, they have been found to have significant negative impacts on the Earth's ozone layer, which plays a crucial role in protecting life on the planet from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

When released into the atmosphere, CFCs can reach the stratosphere, where they can be broken down by UV radiation, releasing chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms can then catalytically destroy ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer and the formation of the "ozone hole."

Due to the damaging effects of CFCs on the ozone layer, international efforts were made to address the issue. The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987, aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs. As a result of this global effort, the production and use of CFCs have significantly decreased over the years, leading to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer. Today, more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are used as replacements for CFCs in various applications.

The first chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) known as Freon (CFC-12 or dichlorodifluoromethane) was invented in 1928 by American chemists Thomas Midgley Jr. and Charles Kettering. They were working at General Motors and developed Freon as a non-toxic and non-flammable alternative to hazardous chemicals like ammonia and sulfur dioxide that were commonly used in refrigeration systems at that time.

Freon quickly gained popularity as a safe and efficient refrigerant and revolutionized the refrigeration and air conditioning industries. Its use became widespread in various industrial and commercial applications due to its stability and properties that made it an ideal refrigerant and propellant.

However, it was later discovered that CFCs, including Freon, have a harmful impact on the Earth's ozone layer. The release of CFCs into the atmosphere can lead to the breakdown of ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to ozone depletion and the formation of the "ozone hole." As a result, international efforts were made to address this environmental issue, leading to the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. This treaty aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs, in order to protect the ozone layer and the environment.

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