Did the chemical industry take responsible action when confronted with evidence that ozone was being depleted? We believe they did not, but took a pragmatic position instead.
Chloroflurocarbons, introduced by DuPont in the late 1920s, were hailed as a solution for a variety of problems. From refrigeration to aerosol propellants, CFCs could be used for a medley of purposes and opposed no apparent danger to anyone. Chlorofluorocarbons were praised as stable, un-reactive, and benign compounds. No one suspected a thing… that is, until some unusual readings were uncovered.
The question is thus: from the discovery that the amount of ozone was decreasing at the south pole, to the proposed and accepted mechanism by Molina and Rowland, to the banning of all CFC use two years later, what was the action taken by the chemical industry and was it carried out in necessary haste? We believe the answer to that question to be no; that industry, although receiving pressure from the scientific community, did not react until it was beneficial for them to do so. They did not react until government regulations curbed the use of CFCs and other ozone destructing chemicals.
The Discovery of the Problem
Discovery of the ozone "hole" and the resulting growth of scientific recognition and awareness both nationally and internationally.
The Initial Response
A recount of the initial responses by industry to the problem by citing examples.
The Emergence of Regulations
Descriptions and the roles of both national law and international treaties that emerged to attempt a slowing of ozone depletion. Also, a chronicle of changes made by industry, why the changes were made, and what the companies attitudes were.
The Problem Today
The current status of the ozone layer today, current laws and research to find CFC substitutes.