What depletes the ozone layer in the atmosphere? What are the harmful effects of the depletion of the ozone layer on us?
What depletes the ozone layer in the atmosphere? What are the harmful effects of the depletion of the ozone layer on us?
Low temperatures, increase in the level of chlorine and bromine gases in the upper stratosphere are some of the reasons that lead to ozone layer depletion. But the most important reason for ozone layer depletion is the production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This leads to almost 80 per cent of the total ozone layer depletion.
There are many other substances that lead to ozone layer depletion such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such substances are found in vehicular emissions, by-products of industrial processes, aerosols and refrigerants. All these ozone-depleting substances remain stable in the lower atmospheric region, but as they reach the stratosphere, they get exposed to the ultraviolet rays. This leads to their breakdown and releasing of free chlorine atoms which reacts with the ozone gas, thus leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects:-
Let us see a few possible effects of the ozone layer depletion on the earth’s environment and also on the plants and animals. The depletion of the ozone layer allows the entering of UV rays from the sun into the earth’s atmosphere which is associated with a number of health-related and environmental issues. Let us see its major impacts on human beings
Skin Cancer: exposure to UV rays from the sun can lead to increased risk for developing of several types of skin cancers. Malignant melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common cancers caused by exposure to UV rays.
Eye Damage: UV rays are harmful to our eyes too. Direct exposure to UV rays can lead to Cataract problems, and also Photokeratitis or snow blindness.
Damage to the Immune system: Our immune system is also highly vulnerable to UV rays. Increased exposure to UV rays can lead to the weakening of the response of the immune system and even impairment of the immune system in extreme cases.
Aging of skin: Exposure to UV rays can lead to an acceleration of the ageing process of your skin. This will result in you looking older than what you actually are. It can also lead to photoallergy that results in an outbreak of rashes in fair skinned people
In humans, exposure to UV rays can also lead to difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and throat irritation and can even lead to hampering of lung function.
Low temperatures, increase in the level of chlorine and bromine gases in the upper stratosphere are some of the reasons that lead to ozone layer depletion. But the most important reason for ozone layer depletion is the production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This leads to almost 80 per cent of the total ozone layer depletion.
There are many other substances that lead to ozone layer depletion such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such substances are found in vehicular emissions, by-products of industrial processes, aerosols and refrigerants. All these ozone-depleting substances remain stable in the lower atmospheric region, but as they reach the stratosphere, they get exposed to the ultraviolet rays. This leads to their breakdown and releasing of free chlorine atoms which reacts with the ozone gas, thus leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects:-
Let us see a few possible effects of the ozone layer depletion on the earth’s environment and also on the plants and animals. The depletion of the ozone layer allows the entering of UV rays from the sun into the earth’s atmosphere which is associated with a number of health-related and environmental issues. Let us see its major impacts on human beings
Skin Cancer: exposure to UV rays from the sun can lead to increased risk for developing of several types of skin cancers. Malignant melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common cancers caused by exposure to UV rays.
Eye Damage: UV rays are harmful to our eyes too. Direct exposure to UV rays can lead to Cataract problems, and also Photokeratitis or snow blindness.
Damage to the Immune system: Our immune system is also highly vulnerable to UV rays. Increased exposure to UV rays can lead to the weakening of the response of the immune system and even impairment of the immune system in extreme cases.
Aging of skin: Exposure to UV rays can lead to an acceleration of the ageing process of your skin. This will result in you looking older than what you actually are. It can also lead to photoallergy that results in an outbreak of rashes in fair skinned people
In humans, exposure to UV rays can also lead to difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and throat irritation and can even lead to hampering of lung function.
