Photochemistry and radiation chemistry of chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons which destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere will produce serious effect on the biological environment on the earth. This chemical reaction of chlorofluorocarbons was investigated in radiation chemistry; the yielding rate distribution of the products of γ-ray irradiation was analysed and the reactivity of each of the three kinds of bonds included in chlorofluorocarbons was studied using Br as a scavenger. Furthermore the author mentioned current status of photochemistry of chlorofluorocarbons, and described that chlorofluorocarbons decompose with liberation of Cl and this Cl decomposes O3 in a chain reaction. The author also estimated how far this reaction will develop in the future, how much of O3 will be reduced and consequently, what kind of injury ultraviolet rays will cause on human body. (Kanao, N.)