th's ozone layer is due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons also known as CFCs are industrially produced chemical compounds that contain the elements chlorine, fluorine, carbon, and sometimes hydrogen that will break down the protective ozone in the atmosphere. Since CFCs are heavier than air, the process of CFCs reaching the ozone will generally take from two to five years to get into the stratosphere. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, the sun's ultraviolet radiation causes them to break apart. Therefore, the chlorine atoms inside the CFCs are released and will react with ozone, starting the destruction cycle of ozone. To show the extent of destruction chlorine can produce, "one chlorine atom can break apart more than 100,000 molecules of ozone" (www.atm.ch...). Chlorofluorocarbons are not a naturally produced chemical, but shockingly are man-made products. "CFC products and other ozone depleting substance are everywhere and come in all forms such as: aerosol spray cans, industrial cleaning agents, insulators, Styrofoam's, coolants, auto air conditioners, home air conditioners and refrigerators" (www.beyonddiscovery.com). Majority of CFCs contributing to depletion is the auto air conditioners in our cars. The CFCs inside auto and home air conditioning systems, as well as in refrigerators can leak out, and eventually will rise into the atmosphere destroying the ozone layer. According to Green peace, "The manufactures of CFCs and other ozone depleting products include: Dupont, Elf-Atochem, ICI, LaRouche, Rhone Poulenc, Nippon Halon, and Allied Signal" (www.greenpeace.org). The total value of all the ozone depleting products since 1986 exceeded $30.6 billion, with the United States producing a large majority of the products. There are other elements and man-made chemicals that contribute to the ozone depletion. Any form of
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