What does the term “ozone depletion potential” (ODP) measure?

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) specifically measures the potential of a substance to degrade or harm the ozone layer in comparison to a reference compound, CFC-11. CFC-11 is a chlorofluorocarbon widely known for its significant ozone-depleting attributes, and as such, it serves as a benchmark for assessing the impact of other chemicals. The ODP of a given substance indicates how much it can contribute to ozone depletion relative to CFC-11, with higher values signifying a greater potential for harm to the ozone layer. Consequently, understanding ODP is crucial for evaluating the environmental impact of various refrigerants and chemicals in relation to their effects on atmospheric ozone.

In contrast, other options pertain to different environmental or safety concerns. The second option deals with global warming potential (GWP) rather than ozone depletion, while the third and fourth options focus on the flammability and toxicity of substances, respectively. These factors are essential in assessing the safety and environmental impact of refrigerants but do not relate to ozone depletion potential.