EPA 608 Core · Ozone Depletion · Medium
Why can CFCs released at ground level damage the ozone layer?
Answer: D. They are stable enough to reach the stratosphere.
- AThey react with ozone at ground level.
- BThey are lighter than air and rise in hours.
- CThey turn into ozone in the clouds.
- DThey are stable enough to reach the stratosphere.✓ Correct
Why D is right
CFCs are so stable that they don't break down in the lower atmosphere; over years they drift up to the stratosphere. There, UV light splits them and frees chlorine atoms that destroy ozone.
More Core questions
- R-410A has a GWP of about 2,088. What does that mean?
- What is the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of HFC refrigerants such as R-134a and R-410A?
- Which refrigerant type contains chlorine and has the highest ODP?
- Which of the following is an HCFC refrigerant?
- What is the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of HFO refrigerants?
Go deeper with the study guide EPA 608 Core Exam: Study Guide for 2026, try the free 10-question test or browse all EPA 608 practice questions.
A practice question written for study, checked against 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. It is not an official EPA exam question, and this site is not affiliated with the U.S. EPA.