Anaesthetic agents and the ozone layer

Abstract

There is an important relationship between the stratospheric ozone layer and the absorption of potentially harmful ultraviolet-B radiation from the sun. Chlorofluorocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons are commonly used chemicals which are implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. Of the anaesthetic agents, halothane has the greatest potential for depleting ozone although, when compared with the global use of other chlorofluorocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons, its current contribution to the problem is relatively small.