Question

How does depletion of ozone affect humans?

Answer 1

Ozone depletion

1. Ozone layer is present in the stratosphere forming a shield over the earth.
2. However this ozone layer is getting depleted due to gases like chlorofluorocarbons, methane, etc. which destroy the ozone gas.
3. As a result, harmful UV radiations from the Sun are reaching the earth.
4. A $5\%$depletion in the ozone layer leads to an $10\%$increase in UV radiation.

The harmful effects of ozone depletion on humans are as follows:

1. UV light causes tanning and sunburn.
2. It may also cause melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer.
3. It causes eye cataracts and cataract-induced blindness.
4. It weakens the immune system and makes the individual more susceptible to various infectious diseases.
5. High doses of UV-B causes inflammation of the cornea called snow-blindness cataract.