The document discusses ozone depletion and its harmful effects. The ozone layer in the stratosphere protects the earth from UV radiation. Depletion of the ozone layer leads to holes in its shield, allowing more harmful UV rays to reach the earth. These rays can damage plants and humans, causing skin cancer and eye damage. They also affect photosynthesis in plants and destroy marine life. The document further explains that CFCs and halons are the primary substances responsible for ozone depletion, and the Montreal Protocol was an international agreement to phase out their production and consumption.

1. OZONE DEPLETION

2. OZONE DEPLETION
Ozone layer present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere
acts as a protective shield for earth against harmful UV
radiation.
Ozone is a colorless gas, depletion of ozone leads to
formation of holes in its shield and owing to this
harmful UV rays would reach the earth.

3. OZONE DEPLETION
Harmful Effects – These rays have varying effects on earths surface, on
living beings, on ecosystem.
Though, most of the plants and animals have some kind of protective
mechanisms from UV, a longer exposure to these radiations can
penetrate the lower layers of body, leading to skin cancer and damage
to eyes in humans.
 In plants, the complete process of photosynthesis, is affected.
 The rays can penetrate the surface of oceans, which can destroy the
entire marine life and entire food chain is affected. Small plants and
animals living in sea get killed by these radiations.
 In the southern part of chile, as a result of low levels of ozone, people
suffered severe burns of skin, cattle became blind, trees wilted and
some animals died.

4. OZONE DEPLETION
Sherwood Rowland, university of california found that
CFCs are the substances that destroy the ozone layer,
CFCs can remain intact for years, CFCs are a whole
family of chemicals that contain chlorine and fluroine.
A single chlorine molecule can break up thousands of
molecules of ozone.
Another family of compound, called Halons, which
contain bromine is another major substance that can
destroy ozone.

5. Montreal Protocol
Depletion of ozone layer became a great concern worldwide. In
1987, 24 countries and by 1990 most of the nations signed
Montreal protocol agreement, committing themselves to phase
out the production and consumption of ozone depleting
substances.
Developing countries were given a grace period of extra 10 years.
India and China were hesitant to sign the protocol as these
nations with huge population and their eagerness to
modernization were creating a growing demand for appliances
and consumer products.

6. Montreal Protocol
As a matter of this, quotas of production and consumption
was given considering historical emissions, which
would automatically restrict developed countries from
taking advantage.
ODS alternatives for India – Pg 112

7. Montreal Protocol
As a matter of this, quotas of production and consumption
was given considering historical emissions, which
would automatically restrict developed countries from
taking advantage.
ODS alternatives for India – Pg 112