A recent study warns of increasing emissions of five chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were banned under the Montreal Protocol, due to leaks during the production of ozone-friendly alternatives like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Despite these emissions currently not posing a significant threat to ozone recovery, their rise from 2010 to 2020 could negate some progress made in protecting the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. The researchers, led by Luke Western from NOAA and the University of Bristol, call for enhanced monitoring and regulations to mitigate these emissions. They noted that while emissions from banned CFCs have decreased, the incidental emissions from production processes are emerging as a concern.
The study utilized data from 14 global sites, revealing that atmospheric levels of the targeted CFCs reached record highs in 2020. With atmospheric lifetimes ranging from 52 to 640 years, these substances could have long-lasting environmental impacts. Researchers suggest the need for revisions to the Montreal Protocol to account for these unintended emissions from the production of CFC alternatives. Without intervention, these increasing emissions may worsen climate change and counteract previous global efforts to restore the ozone layer.
