Fluorocarbons and the stratosphere

OCT 01, 1975

Observations and experiments are under way in response to the growing concern that widely used fluorocarbons might cause a depletion in Earth’s protective ozone layer.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2998918

Gloria B. Lubkin

When the alarm was sounded last year that the ubiquitous fluorocarbon‐propelled spray cans might be responsible for slowly removing Earth’s protective ozone shield, reaction was widespread. Environmentalists urged an immediate ban, legislators held hearings and introduced legislation, government‐sponsored study committees were formed, fluorocarbon‐based industries defended their products and urged more definitive research (which they began to support in part). The concern, of course, is that the ozone layer shields life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Much relevant research was already underway, sponsored by the Federal government, and by now workers in such disparate fields as atmospheric science, chemistry, physics and astronomy are working to answer the question, “Are the fluorocarbons depleting the ozone, and if so, how badly?”

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More about the Authors

Gloria B. Lubkin. Senior Editor of PHYSICS TODAY.