Originally published January 6 2006
Latest studies show that ozone hole will last longer than scientists first predicted
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Dale Hurst, an atmospheric chemist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, concluded from recent measurements that the hole in the ozone above Antarctica may persist to 2065, twenty years longer than previously expected.
The ozone hole over Antarctica may persist two decades longer than predicted, until 2065, because ozone-destroying chemicals are still being released by developed nations a decade after their production and importation was banned.
Scientists had predicted that the phasing out of the chemicals by developed nations would allow the ozone hole over Antarctica to recover by 2040 or 2050.
But measurements taken in 2003 and released Tuesday showed that emissions of the chemicals from the United States and Canada made up about 15% of the world total even though the nations are no longer allowed to produce the compounds, said Dale Hurst, an atmospheric chemist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who made the measurements.
Hurst said he believed the compounds were not new ones, but left over from old fire extinguishers, refrigerators and air-conditioning systems that were created before the ban went into effect but are being legally recycled and slowly leaking chemicals into the atmosphere.
Hurst said in an interview that he doubted there was much illicit production of two key CFCs in the U.S. or Canada because his measurements showed no traces of a chemical used in their production.
The overall rates of two major ozone-destroying chemicals, chlorine and bromine, peaked in 2002 and were now in decline, he said.
In 1998, the hole was 10.1 million square miles, according to NASA, and was similarly large in 2000 and 2003.
Total levels of chlorine in the stratosphere have declined in recent years, but they are still five times as high as natural levels, she said.
Moving them from one place to another allows some of the chemicals to leak out.
But the alternative to recycling would be to vent them to the atmosphere all at once, which would raise levels more suddenly, the scientists said.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml