Final answer:
Yes, there are fluorocarbon refrigerants such as HFCs and HCFCs that do not harm the stratospheric ozone layer, and their adoption is part of global efforts to protect the ozone layer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, there are fluorocarbon refrigerants that cause no harm to the stratospheric ozone. These include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), such as CH₂FCF₃, which contain no chlorine (Cl) or bromine (Br) atoms that could form radicals and destroy ozone molecules. Additionally, another class known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), like CHCl₂CF₃, are designed to break down more readily in the troposphere, which means fewer ozone-depleting molecules reach the stratosphere compared to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The presence of stratospheric ozone is crucial as it decreases the frequency of skin cancer and other damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. After the realization that CFCs depleted the ozone, a global effort emerged to reduce the use of CFCs. This initiative led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol, which has significantly decreased the atmospheric concentrations of ozone-depleting substances and has resulted in the beginning of the decrease in size of the ozone hole.