Which chemical is commonly associated with the depletion of the ozone layer?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are strongly associated with the depletion of the ozone layer due to their properties and behavior in the atmosphere. CFCs are man-made compounds that were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol propellants. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they eventually ascend to the stratosphere, where they are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This exposure leads to the breakdown of CFC molecules, releasing chlorine atoms.

Once released, chlorine can react with ozone (O3) molecules, causing a chain reaction that results in the destruction of ozone. Each chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules before it is removed from the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the thinning of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.

Understanding the role of CFCs is critical for environmental health and policy, as the international community has taken steps, such as the Montreal Protocol, to phase out their use due to their detrimental effects on the ozone layer.