The action of ultraviolet radiation causes chlorofluorocarbons to dissociate, releasing the free chlorine radicle.

U V radiations + CF2Cl2 + Cl + CFC

Now that this Chlorine radicle has formed, it is free to react with Ozone in the stratosphere, forming Chlorine monoxide and oxygen.

ClO (g)+O2 ClO (g)+O2 ClO (g)+O2 (g)

When chlorine monoxide interacts with nascent oxygen, a chlorine free radical is produced.

Cl + O2 = ClO (g) + O (g)

In this method, chlorine radicles are renewed and react with the ozone layer. As a result, CFCs are thought to be a source of chlorine radicles that are depleting the stratosphere’s ozone layer.