Environment - Chlorofluorocarbon and ozone depletion introduction

First, we need to know what is Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC in short). It is a class of synthetic chemicals that are odourless, non-toxic, non-flammable and chemically inert.

When the CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they drift up slowly and, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the sun, they react with ozone (O₃) to form free chlorine (Cl) atoms and molecular oxygen (O₂), thus destroying the ozone layer which protects the Earth's surface from excessive ultraviolet rays from the sun. The chlorine liberated during the breakdown of ozone can react with more ozone, making CFCs very hazardous to the environment. What's worst, CFCs can remain in the atmosphere for more than a CENTURY!