Researchers 'shocked' by rise in banned ozone-destroying chemical
A scientist who monitors chemicals in the atmosphere was stunned when he detected a rise in emissions of CFCs, despite a worldwide ban.
CFCs are chemicals used to make foam for buildings and also found in aerosols and refrigerants, and they can destroy ozone. Stephen Montzka of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and his colleagues have tracked the source of the new CFC-11 emissions to east Asia, and they are searching for the exact location so they can take action. "I have been doing this for 27 years and this is the most surprising thing I've ever seen," he told The Guardian. "I was just shocked by it. We are acting as detectives of the atmosphere, trying to understand what is happening and why. When things go awry, we raise a flag."
CFCs were banned after scientists discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica in the 1980s. CFCs that were used before the ban can leak into the air, but because it's more expensive to make the less-damaging alternative to CFC-11, the increase in emissions could be due to new, illegal production of CFC-11. Montzka says he is confident researchers will "find out fairly quickly what exactly is going on and that the situation will be remedied." If someone is making CFC-11, Montzka said, he's hopeful they will learn that scientists are on the case and will cease production.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Dangerous substances in Lunchables are raising concerns over children's health
In the Spotlight High levels of lead and sodium were recently found in the snack packages
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Fired art
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published