The reveal of chlorofluorocarbons' (CFCs) potential to destroy the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere was a life-changing discovery. In 1974, atmospheric chemist and 1995 chemistry laureate Mario Molina and his co-laureate Sherwood Rowland demonstrated that CFC gases, freons, have a damaging effect on ozone in the atmosphere. Freons had many uses, including propellants in spray cans and refrigerants in refrigerators. By limiting the use of freons, the depletion of the ozone layer was slowed