Which refrigerant has been assigned a factor of 1 for determining the Ozone Depletion Potential?

The refrigerant that has been assigned a factor of 1 for determining the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) is CFC-11. This means that CFC-11 is considered to have a significant potential for ozone depletion and serves as a baseline against which other substances are compared. The ODP scale assigns a value of 1 to CFC-11 due to its well-documented effects on the stratospheric ozone layer, where it breaks down and releases chlorine atoms that contribute to ozone layer depletion.

In contrast, other refrigerants listed, such as CFC-12 and CFC-22, have higher ODP factors, indicating a greater potential for ozone depletion, while HCFC-123 has been developed as a transitional substance with a reduced ODP. Understanding ODP factors is crucial for environmental awareness and implementing regulations aimed at protecting the ozone layer. Therefore, selecting CFC-11 as the refrigerant with an ODP factor of 1 is aligned with the established guidelines for evaluating ozone depletion impacts of various substances.