Ozone Depletion

Since the 1970's scientists have been watching the ozone carefully. It all started when they noticed the ozone thinning out each spring over Antarctica. It gradually grew to more than 28.5 million kilometers squared until 2004 when it began to decrease. The hole was caused by both natural and man made pollutions. An example of natural causes depleting the ozone would be volcanic eruptions. The major reason for ozone depletion would be CFCs or otherwise known as chlorofluorocarbons. This compound was used in many household items such as fridges, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays. CFCs rise up to the stratosphere and mix the ultraviolet radiation. The radiation breaks down CFCs into atoms like chlorine which break ozone atoms into oxygen atoms. If people don not become aware of the effects of the CFCs the ozone might disappear all together leaving all living things on Earth exposed to direct UV rays.