What are the causes of thinning of the ozone layer?

What are the causes of thinning of the ozone layer?

Scientists also discovered that the thinning in the ozone layer was caused by increasing concentrations of ozone-depleting chemicals – chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs (compounds with chlorine and/or fluorine attached to carbon) and to a lesser extent halons (similar compounds with bromine or iodine).

What are the effects of a thinner ozone layer?

Ozone layer depletion causes increased UV radiation levels at the Earth’s surface, which is damaging to human health. Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders.

How thin is the ozone layer?

3 millimeters
Over the Earth’s surface, the ozone layer’s average thickness is about 300 Dobson Units or a layer that is 3 millimeters thick.

What are the harmful effects of ozone depletion Class 10?

Harmful effects of ozone depletion are: (i) It can cause skin cancer. (ii) It damages the eyes by causing the eye disease called cataract. (iii) It damages the immune system by lowering the body’s resistance to diseases.

What is ozone layer how it affect the environment?

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.

How does pollution affect the ozone layer?

The hole in the ozone layer is caused by air pollutants. Chemicals used as refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), contain chlorine atoms. Releasing chlorine atoms into the atmosphere destroys ozone. The ozone hole puts all living things at risk by increasing the amount of UVB that reaches the surface.

What causes ozone pollution?

Ground-level ozone comes from pollution emitted from cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and chemical plants. Ozone pollution can even come from paints, cleaners, solvents, and motorized lawn equipment.

Where in the world is the ozone layer thinnest?

Antarctic
Credits: NASA Goddard/ Katy Mersmann Unusual weather patterns mean that ozone depletion over the Antarctic in 2019 is the weakest since records began in 1982; resulting in the smallest hole to date, according to NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists.

Why is damage to ozone layer a cause for concern?

The ozone layer’s primary job is to block the Sun’s dangerous ultra-violet rays. The ozone layer’s depletion is a reason for concern because it will be unable to filter out ultra-violet radiation effectively, resulting in a variety of skin issues such as skin discoloration and skin cancer.