New research has revealed that industrial chemicals once thought to pose minimal risk are now significantly delaying the recovery of Earth’s ozone layer.
Although ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were largely phased out under international agreements decades ago, their chemical relatives continue to be widely used as ‘feedstocks’ in industrial manufacturing. These substances play a key role in producing modern refrigerants, plastics, and advanced materials. Until recently, they were considered relatively safe from an environmental standpoint because only negligible amounts were believed to escape into the atmosphere.
The Jungfraujoch high alpine research station is located at 3,580 meters above sea level in the central Swiss Alps.
However, a new international study led by researchers at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, challenges this assumption. Drawing on global atmospheric measurements, scientists found that between 3% – 4% of these chemicals leak into the atmosphere during production, transport, and processing – far higher than earlier estimates of around 0.5%.
The findings suggest that these emissions could delay the recovery of the ozone layer by approximately seven years. Instead of returning to its pre-1980 state by around 2066, as previously projected, full recovery may not occur until about 2073 if current emission levels persist.
The study relies on long-term atmospheric monitoring from global networks, which track concentrations of ozone-depleting gases. Because many of these chemicals remain in the atmosphere for decades, scientists can use their persistence to estimate ongoing emissions. When compared with officially reported production data, it becomes clear that far more of these substances are escaping than previously acknowledged.
Compounding the issue is a sharp rise in the use of feedstock chemicals. Since 2000, their global use has increased by around 160%. This surge is partly driven by the transition to newer refrigerants and the growing demand for fluoropolymers used in technologies such as lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
The environmental impact extends beyond ozone depletion. These chemicals are also potent greenhouse gases. Researchers estimate that, if left unchecked, emissions could reach the equivalent of 300 million metric tons of CO2 annually by mid-century, comparable to the current emissions of a major industrialised nation.
Lead researcher Stefan Reimann said: ‘These substances are not only ozone-depleting but also highly harmful to the climate. Lower emissions would thus benefit both the ozone layer and the climate.’
Experts emphasise that the findings do not undermine the success of past environmental agreements, such as the Montreal Protocol, which remains one of the most effective global treaties. Instead, they highlight the need for updated regulations that reflect current industrial practices.
The researchers point out that while past actions have significantly improved the state of the ozone layer, new sources of emissions could slow or even reverse that progress if left unaddressed.
Reimann concludes: ‘The Montreal Protocol was successful because science, politics, and industry worked closely together. Such cooperation is crucial again today to address new challenges.’
The full research can be read here
Photo: Empa
Leave a Reply