What is the Impact and reason for ozone depletion?
There are a few major impacts the depletion of ozone can have on the environment and human health. Globally, ozone depletion is slowing the rate of economic growth. The decrease in ozone allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface of Earth. increased UV radiation exposure can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and a weakened immune system. In addition, the depletion of ozone leads to an increased incidence in respiratory problems, such as asthma, and exacerbates allergies.
“The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”
The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the earth’s atmosphere. It has the potential to absorb around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can damage life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent, millions of people would develop skin diseases and may have weakened immune systems.
However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. This has focussed their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
“Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities.”
Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly than it is created.
Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet light, which then contributes to ozone layer depletion. Such compounds are known as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-depleting substances that contain bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro bromofluorocarbons.
Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is only when the chlorine atom reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.
Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of ozone-depleting substances and minimise their concentration in the atmosphere to protect the ozone layer of the earth.
The ozone layer is a thin, protective layer of gas that surrounds the Earth.
Ozone blankness describes two segregated but related events that have occurred in the Earth’s ozone layer. The first event is the thinning of the ozone layer which is caused by the release of chloro fluoro carbons and other ozone depleting things. The second event is the lack of the overall amount of ozone in the stratosphere. This event is indicated as the ozone hole.
The ozone layer is a thin defensive layer of gas that surrounds the Earth. The ozone layer stops the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) lighting from reaching the Earth’s surface. UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts and other health problems.
The ozone layer has been thinning since the late 1970s. This is because of the release of chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances (ODSs) into the atmosphere. CFCs are gases that are used in many products, including refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans. ODSs are also used in many products including solvents, propellants and fire extinguishers.
The thinning of the ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. This increase in UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts and other health problems.
The ozone layer has also been decreasing in overall amount. This event is indicated as the ozone hole. The ozone hole is a region in the ozone layer that is thinner than normal. The ozone hole forms each year during the winter in the Antarctic.
The ozone hole has been growing in size since the early 1980s. This is because of the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone depleting substances (ODSs) into the atmosphere. CFCs are gases that are used in many products, including refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol cans. ODSs are also used in many products, including solvents, propellants and fire extinguishers.
The ozone hole has been allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. This increase in UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts and other health problems.
The ozone hole is a serious problem because it is growing in size and it is allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s.
Conclusion
The article discusses the effect and reason for ozone depletion. Ozone depletion has been linked to a number of health concerns including an increase in the occurrences
of skin cancer, cataracts and respiratory problems. The article provides an overview of the issue and why it is important to address.
