The Ozone hole was caused by?

The Ozone hole was primarily caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as refrigerants. CFCs are man-made compounds that were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam production, and aerosol propellants. Once released into the atmosphere, these compounds rise up to the stratosphere, where they undergo breakdown due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This breakdown process releases chlorine atoms, which are highly effective at destroying ozone molecules.

The ozone layer is crucial for life on Earth, as it absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful UV radiation. When the ozone is depleted, as it is in the Ozone hole, increased levels of UV radiation reach the Earth, which can lead to higher rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and other environmental issues.

The other options, while they may contribute to environmental concerns, do not specifically relate to the depletion of the ozone layer in the same manner as CFCs. Carbon emissions are more connected to climate change rather than ozone depletion, industrial waste encompasses a variety of pollutants that do not directly impact the ozone layer, and deforestation affects carbon sequestration but does not play a significant role in ozone depletion. Thus, the use of CFCs is the clear