{"id":4392,"date":"2025-09-16T11:53:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T02:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hscatalysts.com\/?post_type=blog&p=4392"},"modified":"2025-11-03T13:55:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T04:55:08","slug":"save-our-zone-international-day-for-the-preservation-of-the-ozone-layer-a-promise-to-protect-our-planet","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.hscatalysts.com\/en\/blog\/save-our-zone-international-day-for-the-preservation-of-the-ozone-layer-a-promise-to-protect-our-planet\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Our Zone! International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer \u2013 A Promise to Protect Our Planet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\ud83d\udd0d Every year on September 16, the world observes the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Through the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, the international community has worked to regulate ozone-depleting substances. Yet, refrigerants used in daily life and industrial emissions of N\u2082O and VOCs continue to threaten the ozone layer.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article marks the occasion by exploring practical measures to protect the ozone layer and highlighting the industrial solutions enabled by Heesung Catalysts\u2019 technologies.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ozone Layer: Earth\u2019s Protective Shield<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ozone layer is a thin band in the stratosphere, located about 10\u201350 km above the Earth\u2019s surface. It acts as a shield, absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-B and UV-C) from the sun. According to Korea\u2019s Ministry of Environment, a 1% decrease in ozone concentration results in a 2% increase in UV radiation reaching us\u2014raising the risk of skin cancer by about 4% and cataracts by 0.6%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the ozone layer weakens or is destroyed, the consequences extend far beyond human health, leading to reduced crop productivity, disruptions in marine ecosystems, and widespread harm to both people and nature. Protecting the ozone layer is therefore not just about environmental preservation\u2014it is essential for safeguarding human life and health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Ozone Crisis and Global Response<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1966, a British Antarctic survey team discovered a sharp decline in ozone levels over the Antarctic stratosphere, confirming the existence of an \u201cozone hole.\u201d This finding led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in September 1987, the first international treaty to regulate ozone-depleting substances. Later, in 1994, the 49th UN General Assembly designated September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Montreal Protocol set out a phased reduction in the production and use of over 100 ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. It also introduced trade sanctions on non-parties and periodic review mechanisms, ensuring its effectiveness. Korea joined the treaty in 1992, later enacting the Act on the Control of Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer and regulating the manufacture, use, and import of ODS under the Clean Air Conservation Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One widely used CFC substitute, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), was once hailed as the \u201cperfect refrigerant\u201d thanks to its stability and ease of use, but it too carried environmental risks. Later, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)\u2014developed as alternatives to CFCs and HCFCs\u2014were found to have global warming potentials hundreds to thousands of times higher than CO\u2082. Recognizing this, parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment in October 2016, extending regulations to include HFCs. Korea has also committed to reducing HFC consumption starting in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Destroys the Ozone Layer?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

(1) Everyday sources<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, CFCs, HCFCs, and halons used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosols were the most common ODS. While international regulations have banned most uses, emissions still occur from older appliances, fire extinguishers, and alternative refrigerants that contribute to greenhouse effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(2) Industrial sources<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial activities release various substances that harm the ozone layer or worsen climate change:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Nitrous oxide (N\u2082O):<\/strong> Released from fertilizer use, nitric acid and adipic acid production, and power plants. It is now considered one of the main culprits in ozone depletion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF\u2086):<\/strong> Widely used in the semiconductor and display industries. While not direct ozone-depleting substances, their powerful greenhouse effects indirectly impact the ozone layer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • Methane (CH\u2084):<\/strong> Emitted from agriculture, waste treatment, and chemical industries. In the atmosphere, it reacts to form ozone precursors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs):<\/strong> Released from vehicle exhaust and industrial processes. They contribute to photochemical ozone formation at ground level, worsening air quality and climate challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          Protecting the Ozone Layer Starts with Everyday Choices<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Ozone protection begins with small, practical actions in daily life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          • Use eco-friendly refrigerants:<\/strong> Choose refrigerators or air conditioners with environmentally safe refrigerants, and ensure proper maintenance to prevent leaks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            • Opt for public transport and EVs:<\/strong> Vehicle emissions worsen both air quality and ozone formation. Using public transport or electric vehicles helps reduce environmental impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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