One of the constituents of the commonly used metered dose inhalers in bronchial asthma which is an air pollutant & dangerous to earth’s stratosphere is –
**Core Concept**
The question tests the knowledge of a specific component in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) used in bronchial asthma, which has environmental implications. MDIs contain a propellant that facilitates the delivery of the medication.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), specifically CFC-11 or CFC-12. These compounds were widely used as propellants in MDIs due to their ability to efficiently deliver medication to the lungs. However, CFCs are potent contributors to ozone depletion in the stratosphere, posing a significant threat to the Earth's atmospheric layer. The mechanism of ozone depletion involves the breakdown of CFC molecules by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that catalytically destroy ozone molecules.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is not specified, but it is likely to be another potential distractor.
* **Option B:** This option is also not specified, but it is possible that it refers to a different air pollutant or a substance without environmental implications.
* **Option C:** This option is also not specified, but it is likely to be another potential distractor.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987, aimed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs. MDIs have since been reformulated to use alternative propellants, such as hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs), which are environmentally safer.
**Correct Answer: C. CFCs.**