In each of the questions given below, there are two statements labelle...
Assertion (A): The use of chlorofluorocarbons is banned throughout the world nowadays.
Reason (R): These chemicals cause skin cancer.
The correct answer is option 'C'. Let's analyze the statements individually to understand why.
Explanation:
Assertion (A): The use of chlorofluorocarbons is banned throughout the world nowadays.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a class of chemical compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They were commonly used in aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and foam-blowing agents. However, the use of CFCs has been significantly reduced and banned globally due to their harmful effects on the environment, particularly on the ozone layer.
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987, aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs. This protocol has been ratified by almost every country in the world, making the use of CFCs illegal.
Reason (R): These chemicals cause skin cancer.
While CFCs are harmful to the ozone layer, they are not directly linked to causing skin cancer. The primary reason for the ban on CFCs is their destructive impact on the ozone layer in the stratosphere. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs can rise to the stratosphere, where they break down and release chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms catalytically destroy ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
The depletion of the ozone layer has significant consequences for human health and the environment. The ozone layer acts as a protective shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface due to ozone depletion can cause various health issues, including skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression.
However, it is important to note that CFCs themselves do not cause skin cancer directly. The ban on CFCs is primarily focused on protecting the ozone layer and preventing its depletion, which indirectly reduces the risk of skin cancer and other health problems associated with increased UV radiation.
In conclusion, while both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). The ban on chlorofluorocarbons is primarily driven by their harmful impact on the ozone layer rather than their direct association with causing skin cancer.