Ozone Layer Depletion

Introduction :

A molecule of ozone or O3 is formed by joining three molecules of oxygen. Its color is light blue and gives
a special kind of intense smell. At an altitude of about 50 kilometers from the surface, the atmosphere is
composed of layers of oxygen, helium, ozone, and hydrogen gases, with the ozone layer acting as a
protective shield for the Earth as this ozone layer is protected from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun on
Earth. These ultraviolet rays coming from the sun are beyond the endurance of the cells of the human body.
If the ozone layer around the Earth did not have this protective shield, then perhaps the Earth would have
been lifeless like other planets.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion :

Human actions are the main cause of the increased decay of the ozone layer. Human activities have
increased the amount of gases in the atmosphere due to ignorance that are destroying the life-saving ozone
layer on Earth. Scientists in an analysis involving the ozone layer have found that chloro-fluoro carbon is
predominantly responsible for the dissolution in the ozone layer. Apart from this, chemical substances like
halogen, methyl chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride are also capable of destroying ozone. These chemicals
have been called “ozone depleting substances”. We mainly use them in our daily pleasure facilities like air
conditioner, refrigerator, foam, paint, plastic etc.

Side Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion :

Increasing decay of the ozone layer can cause many adverse effects. For example, harmful ultraviolet rays
from the sun can enter the atmosphere on Earth, which are extremely hot and also harmful to tree, plants and
animals. These rays in the human body can cause fatal diseases like skin cancer, respiratory disease, ulcers,
and obesity. At the same time, these rays also affect the immunity of the human body. The number of patient
suffering from skin cancer is projected to increase in the coming years due to the increasing decay of the
ozone layer.

World’s Efforts to Protect the Ozone Layer :

Keeping in view the increasing decay of the ozone layer, some countries have taken important steps in the
last three decades. Inter-governmental negotiations for an international agreement to deal with ozone-
depleting topics began in 1981. In March 1985, there was a world-class conference in Vienna to protect the
ozone layer, in which issues such as inter-governmental cooperation on research related to ozone
conservation, systematic monitoring of ozone layer, monitoring of CFC production and exchange of
information were seriously negotiated.

In 1987, the United Nations signed an agreement called “Montreal Protocol” by 33 countries in the city of
Montreal, Canada to address concerns arising from holes in the ozone layer. In this conference, it was
decided to limit the production and use of ozone-depleting substances such as chloro-fluoro-carbon (CFC).
India also signed this protocol.

In India, the work related to ozone depleting substances is mainly being carried out by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests. It is also supported by “Small Industries Development Organization”, Indore.
Every year 16th September is celebrated as Ozone Day to create awareness about the facts related to the
ozone layer on this day.

Conclusion :

At present, the growing use of many types of chemical, indiscriminate cutting of trees; the decay of ozone
layer is increasing due to all these. In such a situation, it is our responsibility to plant trees so that oxygen
remains in the atmosphere at the most and it creates ozone molecules. At the same time, industry owners and
management should also take care not to use substances and processes that adversely affect the ozone layer.
Since we have only one Earth, so we have to stop messing with nature for the survival of animals on this
earth, otherwise the day is not far when humans will also be extinct.