How does the ozone hole form and what does it cause? How can this phenomenon be prevented?

Ozone Hole – What is this phenomenon and why is it dangerous?

The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of about 20% oxygen, whose molecule contains two atoms of this element (the well-known O₂). Triatomic oxygen, known as ozone, appears near the Earth’s surface rarely, and in excess it is harmful to health. High in the atmosphere, however, it plays the role of a protective layer, similar to UV filter creams. It blocks harmful solar radiation – completely UV-C, partially UV-B, and only slightly UV-A.

We talk about the ozone hole when the ozone layer in the atmosphere becomes thinner. This phenomenon usually occurs in polar regions. Ozone content is expressed in Dobson Units (DU) by measuring a vertical column of air. Although no exact threshold has been set to define when ozone reduction becomes an “ozone hole,” in some regions of the Southern Hemisphere, ozone levels have dropped by as much as 70% compared to measurements first taken in 1985.

How does the ozone hole form? Processes and causes

The first culprit identified as responsible for the ozone hole was CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). At first, they were considered indispensable in industrial chemistry. They were chemically neutral, much cheaper to produce than, for example, argon, and widely used wherever a non-reactive gas was needed. They were used as refrigerants in refrigerators, compressors, HVAC systems, as well as in medicine and the construction industry. CFCs escaped into the atmosphere, where they broke apart ozone molecules. Just one atom of chlorine can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules.

CFCs are not the only factor contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. Space rockets and supersonic aircraft also damage it – in the first case even twice, because a rocket must first fly out into space and then return. Other causes include methane and nitrogen oxide emissions, as well as a broad group of greenhouse gases.

What does the ozone hole cause? Effects on the environment and health

An expanding ozone hole allows more solar radiation to reach the Earth’s surface, which in excess is harmful to all living organisms. It also partly contributes to global warming, which leads to increased activity of pathogens and the disruption of biodiversity.

As we know, too much solar radiation is dangerous for human health. It can cause skin cancers by damaging DNA chains, as well as harm eyesight. It also accelerates premature aging due to its destructive effect on collagen fibers in connective tissue, including skin. This is not the only harmful effect: solar radiation speeds up corrosion of metal elements and damages crops.

Is the ozone hole shrinking? Latest data and research

Today, ozone levels are monitored using many different devices, not only from the Earth’s surface but also from space. One such “space technology” is CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), part of the European Copernicus program. It uses thousands of sensors on satellites, aircraft, and balloons to provide data on, for example, nitrogen levels in the atmosphere and near the ground in very short intervals of just a few days.

Global observations indicate that the ozone hole is gradually shrinking. Almost all countries comply with international agreements – the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, which regulate acceptable levels of harmful emissions, such as CFCs. It is estimated that ozone layer damage peaked around 2000 and then began to slowly improve. Nevertheless, it will take at least another twenty years before the ozone layer returns to the levels seen before 1980, when regular monitoring began.

It is worth noting that in many regions the improvement has stalled, but at least this protective “shield” is no longer weakening. Moreover, the ozone hole appears and disappears at different times of the year. Over Antarctica, it occurs mainly from September to November, though in the last decade these fluctuations have remained within relatively stable limits. For those interested in ozone hole data, a valuable resource is NASA’s website, where the state of the ozone layer is reported in real time and with high accuracy.

Ozone hole – how to prevent its formation?

The first step in protecting the ozone layer should be the purchase of refrigeration equipment that meets proper environmental standards. This is particularly important for large industrial facilities that use significant amounts of HVAC systems. Old equipment should be disposed of properly – taken to collection points, not simply thrown into landfills.

Cars also play a significant role in ozone damage, more precisely their cooling systems. All vehicles produced up to 2017 used the refrigerant R134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane), an alkyl halide that is highly damaging to the ozone layer. Newer cars already use R1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene), a hydrofluoroolefin that is completely safe for the atmosphere, though nearly twice as expensive. Some brands, such as Mercedes, use another refrigerant – R477 – based on carbon dioxide. Thus, protecting the atmosphere can involve replacing older company car fleets with newer ones, which also helps meet ESG targets.

Household users can contribute to protecting the environment by choosing roll-on or stick deodorants, since spray products contain the most CFCs. Farmers are also encouraged to use natural fertilizers. It is estimated that up to 75% of the greenhouse effect comes from poorly chosen fertilizers – largely nitrogen-based ones, which are not absorbed by plants and end up in the atmosphere, where they damage ozone.

It is difficult to say exactly when the ozone hole might become a serious threat to all of us. However, it clearly has negative impacts on both human health and the durability of industrial infrastructure. If you want to approach environmental protection consciously, it is worth focusing on reducing the use of conventional energy sources in favor of renewables. Solar panels and wind energy are good directions of development. Contact us to see how we can help!