Which characteristic is true for all CFC refrigerants?

The characteristic that all CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants share is their contribution to ozone layer depletion. CFCs were widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, but they were found to release chlorine atoms when they break down in the upper atmosphere. These chlorine atoms are highly reactive and can destroy ozone molecules, which play a crucial role in protecting life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Due to their harmful environmental impacts, particularly concerning the depletion of the ozone layer, CFCs are now largely phased out under international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol. Understanding the environmental implications of CFCs is important for climate and atmospheric science, as well as for regulatory practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning industries.