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Ozone Hole Smallest It's Been in a Decade

Chlorofluorocarbon ban appears to be improving Earth's ozone

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 13, 2013 8:50 AM CST

(Newser) – One of the most infamous symbols of man's assault on the planet is actually diminishing: The ozone hole over Antarctica was smaller in 2012 than it has been in 10 years, reports LiveScience. Scientists credit the improvement to the worldwide ban on chlorofluorocarbons, which cause the hole to appear each September through November. Experts believe the hole should close altogether within a few decades. (In other ozone news, drones are now studying the ozone layer.)

Long-term observations reveal that Earth's ozone has been strengthening following international agreements to protect this vital layer of the atmosphere.
Long-term observations reveal that Earth's ozone has been strengthening following international agreements to protect this vital layer of the atmosphere.   (European Space Agency )
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
logicaldood
Feb 18, 2013 10:57 PM CST
This means I could use hairspray again?  Too bad I don't have much hair anymore.  Let's bring back freon for cars since it works much better!
cliffofidaho
Feb 14, 2013 5:04 PM CST
Damn...and I was hoping that the world was going to end sooner, not later.  I can just keep hoping for that nuclear holocaust coming out of the middle east in the next year or so. 
Wrongdirection
Feb 14, 2013 9:53 AM CST
There has been so many craft launched into space in the last 3 decades that contribute a lot to the demise of the upper atmosphere, Nothing like burning it up and then for the CFC's to occupy those areas of lost atmosphere. Put on your thinking caps on people, most of you took science in school. Understand that the size of the Ozone hole is directly related to what mankind has or hasn't influenced!

 
pollution • Antarctica • air pollution • ozone layer • chlorofluorocarbons • ozone hole

 
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