Industrial emissions of feedstock chemicals are hindering recovery of ozone layer

Emissions of certain ozone-depleting chemicals used in industry could delay the recovery of the Earth’s ozone layer by several years, according to researchers. Lowering these emissions would help both the ozone layer to heal and reduce the climate heating impacts of such chemicals.

The 1987 Montreal Protocol banned the global production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals – such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – for refrigeration and as foaming agents. However, there are no restrictions on the use of such chemicals as feedstocks to make other molecules. This applies to HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other long-lived chlorinated and brominated compounds.