Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a group of organic compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They were commonly used as refrigerants, solvents, and propellants in aerosol cans. However, it was discovered that CFCs contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they rise to the stratosphere where they are broken down by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone molecules, breaking them apart. This leads to a reduction in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, which can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. As a result, the production and use of CFCs have been phased out under the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987.
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