Are Chlorofluorocarbons Making a Comeback?! (Unit 1)

The ozone layer; it protects life on earth from all the radiation emitted from the Sun, including the cancer-causing UV rays (ultraviolet light) that people wear sunscreen to shield themselves from. However, there are many chemicals that destroy this layer; one of them being chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These chemicals are an organic compound made up of hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine. CFCs are so powerful primarily due to its chlorine atoms. The radiation emitted from the Sun breaks down the chlorine atoms, causing ozone depletion.

As mentioned in section 1.1, CFCs are used for the manufacture of aerosol cans, cleaning solvents and refrigerants. Ever since the dangers of CFCs have been discovered, they were replaced with safer options. In fact, the use of these types of chemicals have been banned by many countries under the Montreal Protocol. Thanks to this treaty, a slow but steady recovery of the ozone layer has been reported. The emission of CFCs has been decreasing at a steady rate for six years. In 2013, when researchers noticed a decline. As recently mentioned in BBC News’ article, Steven Montzka of the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was in shock to find that CFCs are making a comeback in the atmosphere. The exact source of this emission is unknown at the moment. However, it is coming from East Asia and is depleting the atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean.

To find how exactly countries in East Asia are illegally using CFCs, the UN conducted an investigation. CFC-11 was found in the insulating foam of buildings and appliances. This investigation proves that many countries are not transparent when it comes to reporting the types of chemicals used in their factories. To check for the presence of CFCs officials use gas chromatography and a mass spectrometry (as seen in section 1.4). A sample of a CFC is inserted into the gas chromatography, where it is heated and converted into vapour. Then, a gas (usually hydrogen or helium) transfers the sample of CFCs over to a glass tunnel (column). There, the sample is divided into separate parts (electron ionization). The mass spectrometry then allows each part to pass through, before its information (including isotope) is recorded on a graph.

The comeback of CFCs is definitely a political and ethical issue. I wonder why people and companies would do this. There are absolutely no benefits for the use of CFCs on the environment. Action must be taken before the damage becomes irreversible and skin cancer becomes more abundant. As of now, the UN is conducting an investigation to find the exact culprit and the people/companies who are emitting CFCs in East Asia. The simple fix would be to stop using CFCs and return to the alternative substances used in previous years. Although this is not an issue in the Western world, citizens in Asia need to be more mindful of the products they use. In order for this to happen, I believe the organizations and officials who founded the Montreal Treaty need to revisit their policies. More strict laws and surveillance needs to be put in place in order to ensure the ban of CFCs for good. My question for you is, why do you think that people in East Asia are beginning to use CFCs again, despite all of its negative side effects?

Citations:

Main article

Baraniuk, C. (2018, August 13). Future - The detectives hunting ozone-killing chemicals. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180808-the-scientists-who-track-down-ozone-pollutants-like-cfcs

References

Government of Canada. (2018, September 11). UV and the ozone layer. Retrieved September 24, 2018, from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weather-health/uv-index-sun-safety/ozone-layer.html

Haberer, S., & DiGiuseppe, M. (2011). Nelson Chemistry 11: University Preparation. Toronto: Nelson Education

C., Welch. (n.d.). CFCs. Retrieved September 24, 2018, from http://www.theozonehole.com/cfc.htm

Woodford, C. (2018, June 08). How does chromatography work? Retrieved September 21, 2018, from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/chromatography.html