Protect the Ozone

The electronics industry, which formerly used large quantities of CFCs as precision cleaning agents, has also switched to other chemicals. For example, IBM s San Jose manufacturing facility, which was the largest industrial emitter of CFCs, 

The chemical industry has responded amazingly fast to the ozone depletion emergency. It is encouraging that we can act rapidly when an environmental crisis occurs. Now we need to get better at keeping the environment at a higher priority as we plan for the future.  

These questions are designed to be considered by groups of students in class. Often these questions work well for introducing a particular topic in class. 

Define the term stability from both a kinetic and thermodynamic perspective. Give examples to show the differences in these concepts. 

Describe at least two experiments you could perform to determine a rate law. 

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This site and hotline provides information about the science of ozone depletion, regulations under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of1990 designed to protect the ozone layer, information on methyl bromide, flyers about the UV index, information for the general public, and other topics. Hours 10 00 a.m. - 4 00p.m., weekdays, EST. 

Glas, J. P. 1989. Protecting the Ozone Layer A Perspective from Industry. In Technology and Environment, Ausabel, J. H. and H. E. Sladovich, eds. Washington, DC National Academy Press 137-158. 

Protecting the ozone layer from further damage... 

Protecting the Ozone Layer The Chemistry of Global Warming Energy, Chemistry and Society The Water We Drink... 

Infer why the replacement of CFCs with HFCs helps protects the ozone layer. 

Catalysts in the Earth s atmosphere are causing troubles. They are causing the ozone layer to break down. Ozone protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun. Chlorine is a catalyst in the upper atmosphere. The chlorine comes from chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, released into the atmosphere. Chlorine allows ozone to break down into oxygen. The chlorine remains and keeps destroying ozone. This has caused a hole in the ozone layer. Governments around the world have banned the production of CFCs. This hole in the ozone now appears to be shrinking. We must continue to protect the ozone layer by reducing pollution around the world. Some scientists believe the ozone layer could return to normal levels by 2075. 

Dr. Benedick, formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and chief U.S. negotiator of the Montreal Protocol on Sub.stances That Protect the Ozone Layer, is author of Ozone Diplomiicy—New Directions in Satignimling the planet (Hanaird University Press, rev. ed. 1998). Currently, he is Deputy Director, Environmental and Health Sciences Division, Battelle Washington Operations hsiting Fellow, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin and President, National Council tor Science and the Environment. 

Paul J. Crutzen (the Netherlands), Mario J. Molina (Mexico / United States), and F. Sherwood Rowland (United States) for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone. Each of these researchers made important contributions toward understanding how atmospheric ozone is depleted through atmospheric reactions. Importantly, each demonstrated ways in which pollution from humans was responsible for depleting the ozone layer, and they did this by learning how atmospheric pollutants caused the breakdown of ozone. This information will hopefully continue to help us protect the ozone layer and the stability of the Earth s climate. 

Protecting the Ozone Layer A Checklist for Citizen Action... 

Andersen SO and Sarma KM (2002). In Sinclair L (ed.) Protecting the Ozone Layer the United Nations History. London Earthscan. 

The ozone resistance of ENR-25 is comparable with that of NR and it shows a similar response to waxes and chemical antiozonants. Uncompounded ENR-50 has superior ozone resistance, but it does not respond as well to antiozonants, and the ozone resistance of protected ENR-50 vulcanizates is inferior to that of NR and ENR-25 at the same level of protection. The ozone resistance of both ENR-25 and ENR-50 may be improved by blending with ozone resistant rubber (e.g. a 50 20 blend of ENR-50 and EPDM, without antiozonant and strained to 20%, was crack-free after 14 days at 40 C and 50pphm ozone). 

Parson, Edward, Protecting the Ozone Layer Science and Strategy, Oxford University Press, New York, 2003. 

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (FICFC)s, such as 1,1-dichloro-l-flu-oroethane with low ozone depletion potential have been alternatives for CFCs. Flowever, FlCFCs are also being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed in order to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances that are believed to bear an ozone depletion potential. 

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