Abstract
Ongoing measurements of methyl chloroform (CH 3 CCl 3 ) in the atmosphere show levels of the ozone-destroying compound have been declining since 1991—solid confirmation that the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is working. In addition, a new calibration technique has led researchers to significantly lower the absolute values for methyl chloroform in the atmosphere. And the scientists have deduced that the average global concentration of hydroxyl radical (OH) is significantly greater than previously estimated. OH is the lower atmosphere's primary cleansing agent, so this new appraisal suggests many pollutants—including chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) substitutes—are removed from the environment more quickly than had been thought. It's exciting to finally see one of the halocarbons actually decreasing, says Ronald G. Prinn, professor of atmospheric chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There's no doubt about it: Industry has gone all out to decrease the manufacture and ...
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