What are ozone killers?

What happens in the stratosphere

The stratosphere is a layer that spreads around the earth at a height of 8 to 16 kilometers. In it, a certain ozone concentration is important, as explained in a simplified manner below.

• Ozone is a compound of 3 atoms of oxygen (O₃). When UV light hits one of the molecules, it splits into O + O₂. The atomic oxygen combines again with the oxygen molecule O₂. During this process, heat is released. The radiant energy of the sun is thus converted into heat.
• The released O must meet a collision partner who does not bind it. It has to stay in the cycle so that ozone can be created again. Certain substances such as fluorine, but also other halogens, bind the free radical O and prevent new ozone from being created.
• So-called ozone killers, which disrupt this process, must have two properties: They must be highly volatile and carry an atom that can bind the released oxygen.
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The lower the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, the less energy can be withdrawn from the radiation there. The energy of the radiation can cause skin damage such as cancer. It is therefore important to preserve the ozone layer.

Which substances are ozone killers

in the worldwide The binding Montreal Protocol was stipulated in 1987 that CFCs, a well-known ozone killer, were no longer allowed to be produced. Nevertheless, the ozone depletion continues. Researchers are constantly discovering new compounds that belong to the forbidden group of substances, but whose origin is still unknown. In addition, these typical ozone pests are known:

• All connections between a halogen, i.e. iodine, chlorine and bromine and methane are considered ozone killers. The halomethyls are highly volatile and therefore suitable for transporting the halogens into the stratosphere.
• CFCs can be halomethyl or contain a somewhat longer chain of two carbon atoms, so they also belong to the haloethylenes.
• Another well-known ozone killer is laughing gas (nitrous oxide). Since the beginning of the 21st Century replaced CFC as the most important ozone killer.

Origin of the harmful gases

Are you interested in what you can do as an individual to prevent further damage to the ozone layer? To do this, it is important to know the origin of the gases. You should know that not everything that is harmful to ozone is created in a factory.

• Nowadays it goes without saying that CFCs are not used. But old refrigeration cabinets are still filled with the ozone killer. Dispose of refrigerators, freezers and chest freezers properly. Be careful not to damage the cooling system. Caution is also needed when disposing of old air conditioners or age-old aerosol cans.
• Many plants produce methyl bromide. Cruciferous plants produce large amounts of the ozone killer. The increased cultivation of rapeseed is not harmless. According to new findings, the fields secrete around 6,600 tons per year. That is 15 percent of the amount that is produced in industry. Remember this when you fill up with biodiesel, which is mostly based on rapeseed oil.
• Evergreen trees and potatoes also produce an ozone killer, methyl chloride. Most aquatic plants also give off this gas. In the seas, methyl iodide is usually also formed. There is nothing you can do about this emission.
• Nitrous oxide is produced in the fields or in the garden at home when there is ample fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers. So if you refrain from fertilizing and only eat organic foods, you are helping to protect the ozone layer.
• Chloromethyl is always produced in the production of acrylic and PVC. In most factories it is captured and does not escape into the atmosphere. But if the Plastics are burned, the gas can also be produced.

It is amazing what can harm ozone. Would you have thought that even plants produce ozone killers?