Methyl bromide is an example of which type of substance?

• A. Ozone-depleting substance (ODS)
• B. Greenhouse gas
• C. Particulate matter
• D. Volatile organic compound

Answer: (A)

Ozone depletion potential is the key idea here. Methyl bromide is a halogenated organic compound that contains bromine. When released into the atmosphere and exposed to sunlight, bromine atoms are released and participate in catalytic cycles that destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere. A single bromine atom can lead to the destruction of many ozone molecules, which is why methyl bromide is classified as an ozone-depleting substance. This is the main reason it’s regulated under agreements like the Montreal Protocol.

While it’s true that methyl bromide is volatile and can have greenhouse effects, those aspects are not the defining reason it’s categorized as an ozone-depleting substance. It’s not primarily a particulate matter, and its role as a pollutant that harms the ozone layer is the central concept tested here.