The reveal of chlorofluorocarbons' (CFCs) potential to destroy the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere was a life-changing discovery. In 1974, atmospheric chemist and 1995 chemistry laureate Mario Molina and his co-laureate Sherwood Rowland demonstrated that CFC gases, freons, have a damaging effect on ozone in the atmosphere. Freons had many uses, including propellants in spray cans and refrigerants in refrigerators. By limiting the use of freons, the depletion of the ozone layer was slowed

8.8K views · 446 reactions | Happy birthday to Paul Crutzen who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1955 for helping us understand why the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful UV radiation, was disappearing. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3o3DfL7 GIF: Ozone depletion occurs in cold temperatures, so the ozone hole reaches its annual maximum in September or October, at the end of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Credits: NASA/NASA Ozone Watch/Katy Mersmann | Nobel Prize | Facebook