Ozone layer depletion: health and environmental effects

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is divided into three categories of increasing

energy: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. UV-A is a low energy form of UV and has only
minimal biological effects. UV-B, a higher energy form, causes the most
damage to living organisms and materials. UV-C is absorbed by the oxygen in
the atmosphere and never reaches us.

The ozone layer acts as a natural filter, absorbing most of the sun's burning
ultraviolet (UV) rays. Stratospheric ozone depletion leads to an increase in UV-B
that reach the earth's surface, where it can disrupt biological processes and
damage a number of materials.

The fact that UV-B can cause biological effects is well demonstrated by the
familiar sunburn that follows overexposure to the sun. However the health
impacts of excessive exposure to UV-B go beyond just getting burned. Exposure
to UV radiation has been linked to many human health problems, including skin
cancer. Scientists also indicate that increased exposure to UV-B rays affects the
human immune system and causes premature aging of the skin.

It is important to note, however, that UV-B radiation has always had these
effects on humans. In recent years these effects have become more prevalent
because Canadians are spending more time in the sun and are exposing more
of their skin in the process. An increase in the levels of UV-B reaching the Earth
as a result of ozone depletion may compound the effects that sun worshiping
habits have already created.

Health Effects
Recent information continues to expand our knowledge of both the adverse and
the beneficial effects of UV as well as raise concerns about the use of
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) substitutes. Still of greatest concern are the impacts
of UV on immune responses and their possible consequences for infectious
diseases, the induction of skin cancers, particularly basal and squamous cell
carcinomas and melanoma, and eye diseases, especially cataract.

Evidence continues to support the conclusion that UV-B radiation can suppress
immune responses, both in laboratory animals and in humans of all skin types.
New studies show that immune reactions elicited in UV-B irradiated human skin
are diminished compared to responses occurring in unexposed skin. Studies on
mechanisms of immune suppression by UV-B radiation reveal increasing
complexity of the interactions between the immune system and UV. New
evidence indicates that there are multiple pathways by which UV can perturb
the immune system and multiple parts of the immune system that can be
affected. For example, new information from studies in experimental animals
indicates that production of certain types of antibodies can also be impaired by
UV-B irradiation, in addition to the well-documented impairment of
lymphocyte-mediated responses. Studies in experimental animals of infectious
diseases of importance to humans show that UV-B irradiation not only can
decrease immune responses against infectious organisms, but can increase the
severity and duration of a broad spectrum of infectious diseases. It is still not
possible to predict the impact of increasing UV-B exposure on infectious
diseases in human populations. The accumulating new knowledge, however,
increases the concern that UV exposure may increase the severity of certain
infectious diseases and decrease the effectiveness of vaccinations.

The causal relationship between UV and skin cancer has already been
established in animal experiments and epidemiological studies. Using this
information, a recent risk assessment has estimated that, in the absence of the
Montreal Protocol, elevations in UV due to ozone depletion would lead to skin
cancer incidences as high as four times the current levels by the end of the next
century. Under the agreements of the original Montreal Protocol, the incidence
was estimated to double. With the Copenhagen Amendments, the relative
increase in incidence would reach a maximum of almost 10 % in the year 2060,
and then gradually return to baseline (i.e., levels without ozone depletion).
Such estimates have a considerable uncertainty, as they are based on a
number of simplifying assumptions, including that there will be full compliance
with the agreements. These estimates nevertheless suggest that failure in the
implementation of the Montreal Protocol will significantly increase the risks of
skin cancer in susceptible populations.

Continued work analyzing the genetic alterations in skin cancers confirms

earlier findings that mutations in the p53 gene represent early events in the
development of these cancers and that these mutations appear to be
specifically caused by UV-B. This has now been found for both basal cell and
squamous cell carcinomas. Such information can contribute to refining future
risk assessments either by helping to identify sensitive sub-populations, or by
contributing to the development of more precise risk assessment models.
Similar information on melanoma is not yet available but is an area of intensive
research.

Although much fundamental research has been carried out on UV-induced

damage to the lens of the eye, most of it does not contribute to our
understanding of the connection between ambient UV radiation exposure and
cataract in humans. One recent experiment, however, confirms that for rats
whose eyes were exposed to UV the lens opacities (precursors to cataract)
induced by that treatment tend to start at the periphery of the lens, just as is
the case for the human cataracts that are associated with sun exposure.
A recent report in the medical literature indicates that workers accidentally
exposed to the CFC substitutes HCFC-123 and HCFC-124, from a leak in an air
conditioning system, developed acute liver disease. The authors concluded that
strict containment measures are needed for these compounds and also
recommended the rapid development of safer alternatives.

Effects on the skin

Although fair-skinned, fair-haired individuals are at highest risk for skin cancer,
the risk for all skin types increases with exposure to UV-B radiation. The effects
of UV-B on the human immune system have been observed in people with all
types of skin. There are three main types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma,
squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Most cases of skin cancer
in Canada are either basal or squamous cell carcinoma. Basal and squamous
cell carcinomas progress slowly and rarely cause death because they usually
don't spread to other parts of the body. These cancers are easily removed by
surgery. Melanoma is the most serious and fortunately the least common form
of skin cancer. Scientists strongly suspect that malignant melanoma, which can
be fatal, is caused by exposure to UV light.

Scientists have confirmed that non-melanoma skin cancer is caused by UV-B

radiation, and further believe that a sustained 10% depletion of the ozone layer
would lead to a 26% percent increase in non-melanoma skin cancer. This could
mean an additional 300,000 cases per year world wide.

Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Human Health

Due to stratospheric ozone layer depletion UV radiations are penetrating in
earth atmosphere which result in the production of reduced oxygen. Highly
reactive species like hydrogen peroxide is produced which has bad effects on
human health. It is ideal photochemical maker due to its long life and stability.
Hydrogen peroxide is toxicant and it pollutes drinking water especially in lakes
and makes water toxic and unfit for drinking. IT alters redox chemistry of metals
that are used by our body like iron copper and manganese

Effect of Food Shortage on Human Population

Depletion of ozone layer is also causing the problem of food shortage to
humans. UV radiations are disturbing developmental and physiological
processes which is decreasing the productivity of crops. As humans are heavily
dependent on crops for food so there is a great chance if depletion of ozone
layer is not checked it may cause seriously shortage of food to humans.
Researches also show that UV radiations can also be used to enhance yield of
crops by the use and application of phytohormones
Effects on the eyes
UV-B radiation can damage several parts of the eye, including the lens, the
cornea, and the membrane covering the eye (conjunctiva). "Snow blindness" is
the result of overexposure to UV-B and occurs in areas of the world with high
levels of UV exposure, including snowy regions at high altitudes. Snow
blindness is not unlike a sunburn, and if repeated, can cause damage to eye
over the long term.

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens and are the leading cause of
permanent blindness world wide. They are a result of overexposure to UV. A
sustained 10% thinning of the ozone layer is expected to result in nearly two
million new cases of cataracts per year globally.

Effects on the immune system

UV affects our ability to fight disease. The body's immune system is its first line
of defense against invading germs. Recent research has shown that some
viruses can be activated by increased exposure to UV.

Effects on the environment

Ultraviolet radiation not only affects humans, but wildlife as well.
Excessive UV-B inhibits the growth processes of almost all green plants. There is
concern that ozone depletion may lead to a loss of plant species and reduce
global food supply. Any change in the balance of plant species can have serious
effects, since all life is interconnected. Plants form the basis of the food web,
prevent soil erosion and water loss, and are the primary producers of oxygen
and a primary sink (storage site) for carbon dioxide.

UV-B causes cancer in domestic animals similar to those observed in humans.

Although most animals have greater protection from UV-B because of their
heavy coats and skin pigmentation, they cannot be artificially protected
from UV-B on a large scale. Eyes and exposed parts of the body are most at risk.

So What Do we Do?
There are still ways to protect ourselves from the sun’s harmful rays. Here are a
few simple tips:
◆ Keep sun exposure to a minimum, especially between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m. when the sun's rays are the most intense.
◆ Wear wide-brimmed hats, UV-B blocking sunglasses, and long-sleeved
shirts and pants.
◆ Wear sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater on any
exposed skin. Reapply every hour or after swimming or strenuous activity.
Although the ozone layer is the one constant defense against UV penetration,
several other factors can have an effect:
Latitude. Since the sun's rays impact the Earth's surface at the most direct
angle over the equator they are the most intense at this latitude.

Season. During winter months, the sun's rays strike at a more oblique angle
than they do in the summer. This means that all solar radiation travels a longer
path through the atmosphere to reach the Earth, and is therefore less intense.

Time of day. Daily changes in the angle of the sun influence the amount
of UV radiation that passes through the atmosphere. When the sun is low in the
sky, its rays must travel a greater distance through the atmosphere and may be
scattered and absorbed by water vapour and other atmospheric components.
The greatest amount of UV reaches the Earth around midday when the sun is at
its highest point.

Altitude. The air is thinner and cleaner on a mountaintop - more UV reaches

there than at lower elevations.

Cloud cover. Clouds can have a marked impact on the amount of UV radiation
that reaches the Earth's surface; generally, thick clouds block more UV than
thin cloud cover.

Rain. Rainy conditions reduce the amount of UV transmission.

Air pollution. Much as clouds shield the Earth's surface from UV radiation,
urban smog can reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth.

Land Cover. Incoming UV radiation is reflected from most surfaces. Snow

reflects up to 85 per cent, dry sand and concrete can reflect up to 12 per cent.
Water reflects only five per cent. Reflected UV can damage people, plants, and
animals just as direct UV does.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Ozone layer is continuously depleting which is highly alarming situation of today.
Chloroflourocarbons are major cause of ozone depletion. These substances
should be banned or we should use their alternatives so that in future we can
protect ourselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Human eye and skin are the most exposed part of the body to these radiations.
So there is high degree of incidence of blindness and skin cancer disease
increasing day by day with the depletion of ozone layer so we should use
sunglasses and full body clothes especially in summer when there is high
intensity of sunlight so that we can protect our body from harmful UV radiations.
We should also use sun block creams to our most exposed parts of body like
face.
We should also don’t consume water from lakes as it may contain high quantity
of hydrogen peroxide which is toxic to our bodies, and we should consume
water for drinking from clean water sources.