Ozone in the stratosphere protects life on Earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Certain industrial processes and consumer products emit ozone-depleting gases like CFCs into the atmosphere. As these gases reach the stratosphere, they break down and release chlorine atoms that deplete the ozone layer. Depletion of the ozone layer leaves humans and other life exposed to harmful UV rays, which can cause health issues like skin cancer and eye disease as well as negatively impact plant life and food production.

1. Will Clark
ENC 1102-CRN 10844
April 4, 2013

3. Ozone is a gas that develops naturally in our atmosphere.
Most of it is concentrated in the ozone layer, a region
located in the stratosphere several miles above the
surface of the Earth. Although ozone represents only a
small part of the gas in the atmosphere, it is an extremely
important factor in protecting humans and other life on
Earth from Ultraviolet light from the sun.

4. Although there are many people who believe
that the depletion of the ozone layer is not
directly impacting their lives, the problem
needs to be considered as ozone depletion is
creating dangerous consequences.

6. Big Business
In order for major corporations to create a mass amount of product to sell they must
use industrial foundries and transportation that emit harmful gasses into the air that
continue to deplete our Ozone. “Certain industrial processes and consumer products
result in the atmospheric emission of ozone-depleting gases. These gases contain
chlorine and bromine atoms, which are known to be harmful to the ozone layer.
Important examples are the CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), human-
produced gases once used in almost all refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
These gases eventually reach the stratosphere, where they are broken apart to release
ozone-depleting chlorine atoms. Other examples are the halons,which are used in fire
extinguishers and which contain ozone-depleting bromine atoms”.

7. What the heck is the Ozone??
Many people are not even aware of what is
going on in our atmosphere. Not only that, but
they do not know what the Ozone even is, what
is destroying it, and how much it could affect
their life.

8. Why should we try and stop Ozone
Depletion?
• Health issues are arising from this.
• Plant life, animal life, and overall production
of food are being affected.
• To keep our atmosphere from collapsing.

9. Health issues
Many issues have come up from the depletion of the Ozone. With no Ozone to protect us from Ultra
Violet rays this leaves us exposed and vulnerable to the harmful rays. These harmful rays leave many
terrible effects on humans. Effects include skin cancer, eye cancer, damage to the immune system and
others.
• Scientific Research Examples:
• Effects on skin
• • Malignant melanoma
• Non-melanocytic skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma • Sunburn
• Chronic sun damage
• Photodermatoses.
• Effects on the eye
• • Acute photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis • Climatic droplet keratopathy
• Pterygium
• Cancer of the cornea and conjunctiva
• • Lens opacity (cataract)—cortical, posterior subcapsular • Uveal melanoma
• Acute solar retinopathy
• Macular degeneration.
• Effect on immunity and infection
• • Suppression of cell mediated immunity • Increased susceptibility to infection
• Impairment of prophylactic immunization • Activation of latent virus infection.

10. Effects on the Ecosystem
There is an ecological dimension to consider.
Ultraviolet radiation impairs the molecular
chemistry of photosynthesis both on land
(terrestrial plants) and at sea (phytoplankton). This
could affect world food production, at least
marginally, and thus contribute to nutritional and
health problems in food- insecure populations (). If
plants cannot produce properly animals will no
longer have food to eat. If animals do not eat they
will die hence humans will no longer have a source
of food. The rays are destroying the earth and its
bountiful green food.