ozone-depleting chemical

Ozone-depleting chemicals (ODCs), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are compounds that contribute to the thinning of Earth's protective ozone layer. This layer, located in the stratosphere, shields life from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, they break down and release chlorine atoms, which can destroy thousands of ozone molecules.1234

The discovery of this phenomenon led to the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty aimed at regulating and phasing out the production and use of ODCs. While the ozone layer has shown signs of recovery, it is not expected to fully return to pre-1980 levels for several decades.153