human
I've heard that the ozone layer is being depleted. What is causing this?
assistant
The ozone layer is a layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It helps protect life on Earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion is caused by certain chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other man-made compounds. These compounds are used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays, among other things. When these compounds are released into the atmosphere, they react with oxygen to form ozone molecules, which then break down into chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms can then react with more ozone molecules to produce free radicals that destroy ozone molecules.