Which refrigerant is known for its ozone depletion potential?

R-22 is known for its ozone depletion potential because it contains chlorine atoms in its chemical structure. Chlorine is a significant contributor to ozone layer depletion, as it can break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere. When R-22 is released into the atmosphere, those chlorine atoms can lead to the destruction of ozone, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

In contrast, while other refrigerants like R-134a, R-410A, and R-404A are also evaluated for environmental impact, they do not contain chlorine and have much lower ozone depletion potential. R-134a and R-410A are considered more environmentally friendly alternatives in terms of ozone impact, illustrating the progress in refrigerant development aimed at reducing harm to the ozone layer.