Tag: CFCs

Banned since 2010, CFCs have surprisingly and rapidly increased in the Earth’s atmosphere this last decade. CFCs have an atmospheric lifetime of 52 to 640 years and act as powerful greenhouse gases that also destroy the ozone layer. According to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, the emissions of CFC-112a, CFC-13, CFC-113a, CFC-114a, and Continue reading CFCs on the rise again

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) predict that the global ocean could become a measurable source of ozone-depleting CFC-11 in the future. Commonly used as a refrigerant, propellant and foam blowing agent, CFC-12 was phased out in 2010 – although there has been some illegal use since. Nevertheless, atmospheric levels of CFC-11 are Continue reading Warming oceans could start emitting absorbed CFCs

Biosignatures have long played a part in the search for other life in our universe. These signatures are chemical elements or substances, such as methane detected in the atmosphere of a planet, that are naturally produced by living organisms. However, scientists at the Massachusetts-based Centre for Astrophysics and the University of Rochester are collaborating on Continue reading CFCs could reveal life on other planets

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that ozone layer depletion reached record levels over large parts of the Arctic in spring. Monitored ozone levels over the Arctic in March are typically at least 240 Dobson Units (DU) – with a DU representing a 0.01mm-thick layer of pure ozone at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Continue reading Extreme weather, CFC damage result in record Arctic ozone depletion

The surge in illegal CFC-11 production and use in China will, according to a recently published athe recovery of the ozone layer. The paper, titled Delay in recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole from unexpected CFC-11 emissions, suggests that the emissions could add two years to the recovery of the ozone layer – if, that Continue reading Ozone under threat from CFC-11

A study published by an international team of scientists has further identified China as the source of significant CFC-11 emissions, despite it being phased out in 2010 under Montreal Protocol. The chemical, which is particularly damaging to the ozone layer and has a high global warming potential (GWP) of 4660, was historically used primarily in Continue reading Mystery CFC-11 emissions

Unregulated CFC use threatens ozone recovery The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has confirmed that the long-banned CFC-11, an ozone-depleting chemical, is being used in Chinese industry. The latest report from the EIA, titled Tip of the Iceberg: Implications of Illegal CFC Production and Use, categorically demonstrates that CFC-11 is being employed as a blowing agent Continue reading Crackdown on illegal CFCs

A series of reports had attributed an alarming rise in CFC-11 emissions to Chinese factories, which were reputedly using the ozone-harming gas in their production processes.  The Chinese government, which is stated to have a “zero tolerance” approach to the use of substances outlawed by the Montreal Protocol, has subsequently acted to combat this issue.  Continue reading Rising CFC-11 emissions a result of commercial use in China