Scientists Discover More Gases Attacking Ozone Layer

Researchers have detected new manmade gases, chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon, eroding the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere and curtailing its ability to absorb ultraviolet rays and radiation from the sun. “It is thought the gases may be being emitted from chemicals used to make insecticides and solvents for cleaning electronic components, although their precise origin is unknown,” reports Pilita Clark for the Financial Times. “After the discovery of the hole over Antarctica, governments agreed to phase out CFCs under the Montreal protocol, an international agreement that came into force in 1989.” The CFS are banned under the agreement. The research was published by Nature Geoscience. The article suggests that the gases could have been released on a large scale by few sources and possibly even be an accident. While emissions are not near the levels reported in 1980s, the researchers report that ongoing vigilance and monitoring is needed. – YaleGlobal