OZONE LAYER DEPLETION AND OUR HEALTH

Hello Beautiful People

I really want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has been Reading, following and resteeming my recent post on health, safety and environmental sustainability. I’m pleased and I know you’ve all learned a lot even more than I know… (Smiles)
Today I’ll be sharing a thought on what most of us know, must have heard or read about… OZONE LAYER DEPLETION, it is real and I’ll be looking at it from the environmental health perspective.

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Ozone is a molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen predominantly found in the stratosphere (90%) where it protects the earth from Ultra violet (UV) radiations from the sun, it is found 10 – 50km above the earth and It is also found in a lower layer known as the Troposphere (10%). Ozone in the stratosphere is regarded as “Good” because it absorbs all UV radiations while the tropospheric ozone is regarded as “Bad” because it is a primary component of smog (smoke and fog) and it could be harmful to man.

The Ozone layer acts as a sieve or blanket to the earth protecting it from certain solar radiations and reduction of heat effects from the sun on the earth. The ozone layer is created when UV rays react with oxygen molecules to create Ozone and atomic oxygen (O.) Repeatedly. Ozone is constantly being created and destroyed by the process known as the Chapman Cycle. Recent studies has shown that the destruction of the ozone outweighs the creation process therefore extending the depletion rate, this depletion usually results in creating a hole on the ozone known as the OZONE HOLE

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How is this Ozone Layer depleted?

The Ozone is depleted by substances known as Ozone depleting substances, Ozone depleting substances are substances that contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. These include; chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides and halons (i.e. halo-alkanes). This is usually caused by different factors, either natural or Man-made examples include; Volcanic eruptions, Chloro-floro carbon emissions, pesticides etc.

Effects of Ozone Depletion;

It increases surface level of UV rays which could lead to skin cancer.
It leads to increase in tropospheric ozone which is a health risk for humans.
It causes basal and squamous cell carcinomas resulting in skin cancer.
It affects the physiological and developmental process of plants.
UV radiation causes damage to early developmental processes of fish, shrimps, crabs, amphibians and other marine mammals. Most effects are in reduced reproductive capacity and impaired larval development.
It affects terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemical cycles (e.g. Oxygen cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Carbon cycle).

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How can we control the Ozone from more Depletion?

Use of aerosol products that are void of CFCs and Propellants.
Regular inspection and maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimize leakages.
Mass transportation solutions to limit private vehicle ownership and driving.
Use of eco-friendly (Environment friendly) household products.
Creating awareness concerning use of aerosols and Ozone layer depleting substances.

The duty protecting the earth lies on you and I, we can make the earth a better place by keeping it safe.

Thanks for stopping by…