Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion on Human Health

Discuss about the effects of Australian Ozone layer.

One of the layers in Earth’s atmosphere is the ozone layer, which consists of high concentrations of ozone. Across the globe, the ozone layer is thinning and radiates high ultra-violet rays on Earth. Due to this reason, the level of skin cancer has increased and reached epidemic proportions. Gradually, the people and residents of Australia will be affected with skin cancer. It has also been observed that there have been high death rates in Australia over the years because of the effects of ozone layer. Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, plants and animals. The high level of UV rays causes skin cancer. The ozone layer arises in two layers of the atmosphere. It is the chief reason for causing air pollution that is harmful to breathe and ruins the vegetation. Urban smog is also caused due to ozone. It also results in global warming. However, there are plenty of ways to save the ozone layer (Lucas et al. 2015). Usage of chlorofluorocarbons and aerosol sprays should be avoided. Extinguishers with halogenated hydrocarbon must also be shunned as it is a substance that is very aggressive to the ozone layer. Sustainability issues should be reduced in Australia and suitable measures must be adopted to handle the presence of ozone layer.

Without the presence of ozone, life on Earth would not have evolved. It has been noticed that the ozone hole is located over Australia. This has occurred due to increased ultra-violet rays over the years (França, França and de França 2017). The ozone layer is generally depleted in two ways. The ozone layer in the mid-latitude is thinned which led to more UV radiation reaching Earth which led to harmful effects. Ozone depletion is the reason that allows more ultraviolet radiation through Earth. Therefore, due to this it has an effect on the living beings. It causes skin cancer and eye problems to humans. It is also very harmful for the children well. If the ozone depletion increases, the probability of skin cancer will increase simultaneously unless people reduce their exposure (Beck 2015). The effect or impact on animals and plants are more critical and dangerous since animals, plants, fishes cannot move out of the health of ecosystems, and human beings are dependent on them.

When ozone depletion occurs, the natural balance between the destruction and production of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favor of destruction (Anwar et al. 2015). The chief reason or source of ozone depletion is chlorofluorocarbons. The gases included in chlorofluorocarbons are very harmful and dangerous. When these gases rise upwards, they are exposed to UV light. This results in a chemical reaction, which forms chlorine atoms. Therefore, these atoms affect the ozone layer and it causes ozone depletion. However, there are man-made causes of depletion of ozone layer as well. Release of chlorine and bromine from man-made compounds leads to depletion of ozone layer. Ozone-Depleting Substances are not washed back to the Earth in any form. Instead, it remains in the atmosphere for a longer time (Martens 2014). The ozone layer mainly protects the Earth from ultraviolet rays. The chemicals usually causes a reaction which makes the ozone layer breakdown into oxygen. The layer loses its effect from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. The Chlorine and Bromine keeps interacting with the ozone molecules till they leave the ozone layer to bond with the other compounds. The other compounds that causes the ozone depletion are as follows:

• Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) – These compounds are formed with the help of Hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and carbon. These are used as substitutes for CFCs as many properties are similar to it and are also less harmful to ozone (Bornman et al. 2015). These are considered as a temporary solution and the use of it has been banned in the developed countries.
• Halons – Halons are also compounds that are created by Bromine, Fluorine and chlorine. It has the ability to extinguish fires. However, the use of these compounds are prohibited in plenty companies due to the ozone depleting action (Vollmer et al. 2016). It harms ozone layer because it contains bromine, which is more effective atom that is destroying ozone than chlorine.
• Methyl bromide – This compound is a very effective pesticide that is put to use for fumigating soils in many crops. Bromide harms the ozone layer and has potential of ozone depletion.
• Carbon tetra-chloride – This compound has been used hugely as a raw material in many industries (Chipperfield et al. 2016). CFC was no longer used as a solvent because it was found to be carcinogenic. It is also treated as catalysts in a few selected processed where the chlorine ions should be released.

Impact on Animals and Plants

Ozone is a gas in the atmosphere that protects every living being on the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun. Surviving would be difficult for any living being on Earth without the layer of ozone in the atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion has its effect on plants, humans and animals in Australia. Therefore, the effects of the ozone layer depletion have been elaborated below. They are as follows:

• Effects on Animal and Human Health – Due to increased penetration of the ultraviolet radiation, human beings and animals are affected with infectious diseases, skin cancer and eye diseases. The ultraviolet rays are harmful and damage the lens and cornea of the eye. Continuous exposure to the ultraviolet rays results in cataract of the eye (Lucas et al. 2015). These rays also affect the immune system that causes numerous infectious diseases. In a situation of less population, there are high chances or possibilities of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer. Animals also get affected and their whole cycle of ecosystem.
• Effects on children – Infants and children have the risk of high biological damage. This is because infants are not capable of moving around and going out in the sunlight. Whereas it is harmful and risky for children as they are exposed to the sunlight (Anwar et al. 2015). It might lead to serious eye damage because the lens of the eye gets affected. It fails to absorb the radiation of the sunlight. It can also cause eye cataract, cancer or blindness to children. Due to the ultraviolet rays, the skin of the children gets affected since it cannot adapt to the radiation.
• Effects on Plants – The developmental and psychological processes of plants are directly affected by the ultraviolet radiation. An increase in the ultraviolet radiation will entail using more ultraviolet tolerant and reproducing new tolerant ones in the agricultural process (Jordan 2017). The ultraviolet radiation in forests and grasslands causes alterations in the composition of the species. Therefore, it leads to alterations in the biodiversity of different ecosystems. This will affect the plant community indirectly deriving or resulting in modifying in plant form. These alterations have significant implications for the plant balance.
• Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems – Increased levels ultraviolet radiation has an unfavorable affect on the productivity of the aquatic systems (Robinson and Erickson 2015). High level of exposure of the underwater creatures to the ultraviolet rays affects the distribution of phytoplankton that form the basic or foundation of aquatic food webs. Ultraviolet radiation also affects the development and growth of fishes, crab, shrimp and other animals. This adversely affects the reproductive capacity of these creatures. Humans who will later consume these will be infected naturally.
• Effects on Biogeochemical Cycles – Aquatic bio-geo-chemical cycles and terrestrial gets affected due to increased ultraviolet radiation. The higher level of ultraviolet affects the natural balance of gases. Alteration in the gases causes pollution in the biosphere and atmosphere (Lenton and Daines 2017). The ultraviolet radiation also affects the changes in the decomposition and production of plants, release of atmospheric gases, degradation of aquatic dissolved organic matter and reduction of bacterioplankton growth. The ultraviolet rays can also affect the aquatic nitrogen cycle by nitrifying bacteria to inorganic species. The marine sulphur cycle can also be affected which might result in the predictable changes in the sea emissions.
• Effects on Air Quality – When the stratospheric ozone is decreased and the penetration of ultraviolet radiation is increased it will conclude in high dissociation rates of gases that controls the chemical reactivity. This way, it will increase both destruction and production of ozone and other oxidants that has an undesirable effect on plants and human health. The increase in troposphere reactivity will lead to increase in production oxidants and natural gases.
• Effects on Materials – Increase in the level of ultraviolet radiation has unfavorable effects on polymers, biopolymers and other materials. The radiation generates the photo degradation rates of the materials by limiting the lifetimes. The normal level of damages varies from loss of mechanical integrity and discoloration (Andrady 2015). The ozone destroying effect and chloroflurocarbon has the capability of destroying a huge number of ozone molecules. The materials get affected directly due to the ozone layer depletion.
• Effects on Climate Change – Ozone depletion plays a vital role in the climatic change. Ozone depletion and climate change are associated in numerous ways. Ozone layer has two affects in the atmosphere based on the temperature balance of the Earth. The Earth absorbs the solar ultraviolet radiation that naturally heats the stratosphere. The Earth also absorbs the infrared radiation that is generated (Bais et al. 2015). Therefore, the change in the climate differs due to the impact or effect of the ozone depletion. Ozone losses usually affect the lower stratosphere because the chlorine produced and the bromine gases have a cooling effect on the surface of the Earth. However, the surface pollution gases affect the surface of the Earth and it is known as the greenhouse effect. The alterations in the atmospheric gases effect both the ozone changes that are difficult to predict.
• Effects on Ultraviolet Radiation – Depletion of ozone layer leads to an increase in the lower level ultraviolet radiation since ozone is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation (Grigalavicius, Dahlback and Juzeniene 2016). The ultraviolet radiation is effective in causing damage to all the living beings. If ozone decreases, pollution can complicate it.

Changed climate, plants, animals and human beings get affected because of pollution and ozone layer. The ozone layer affects the skin and eyesight of human beings, which makes it difficult for them to sustain in the country. Skin cancer, blindness is a problem for the individuals residing in Australia. These environmental issues are treated as harmful effects of human activities on biophysical environment. The dangerous gases emitted harmful if inhaled. Therefore, Australia is polluted and these are the sustainability issues that should be solved for the allowing the individuals to survive.

The Vienna Convention is a framework convention that establishes the initial foundation for protecting the ozone layer. The structures for mandated research, the standard setting and information exchange on the ozone layer acts as a systematic monitoring of the ozone layer. The production of chlorofluorocarbon is also monitored and recorded to understand of the human activities on the ozone layer. The Vienna Convention does not inflict or contain any legal binding reduction targets for using chlorofluorocarbon (Hirst 2016). Parties involved with the Vienna Convention must inform the Secretariat about the initiatives which they have undertaken to incorporate the Convention and the Conference of the Parties.

The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is a protocol to the Vienna Convention protection for the ozone layer. It was adopted in 1987 and it came into force on January 1, 1989. The Montreal Protocol established measures to manage or control the ozone depleting substances through the limitations in consumptions, production and trade of the substances (Carpenter 2014). The Montreal Protocol introduced targets and limits to omit the chlorofluorocarbon. Technological assessments and approaches were also established for the inclusion of new controlled substances and provide scope for implementing accurate and suitable adapted control measures.

• Monitoring and compliance – The Secretariat is held responsible for taking into account the administrative functions of the convention. The annual reports consisting of their production import and export activity of the substances must be provided by the State parties to the Secretariat. Meetings are held annually for reviewing the progress, implementing latest scientific data and discuss the important tools or measures to enhance compliance.
• The Multilateral Fund – The Multilateral Fund was introduced to finance the costs that are required for compliance with the protocol. The main aim of this fund is to provide assistance for the parties of developing countries to the protocol to adjust with the controlling measures of the protocol. The cost engaged with the compliance consists of development of substitutes, the costs of adapting the manufacturing facilities and the costs of premature retirement.
• Montreal Protocol Control Measures – The ozone depleting substances are generally found in the United Nations Environment Program Ozone Secretariat’s handbook that deals with the international treaties for the protection of the ozone layer.
• Australia and the Montreal Protocol – For the protection of the Ozone Layer, Australia has sanctioned the Vienna Convention. Australia gives effect to its obligation under the Vienna Convention Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol with the help of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Gas Management Act, 1989.

• Desist from using pesticides – Pesticides act as great chemicals to get rid of pests and weeds in the farm. It also contributes in depleting the ozone layer. The farms must be mowed manually and eco-friendly chemicals should be used to alleviate pests.
• Discourage driving of private vehicles – Another easy way to reduce ozone depletion is by limiting the number of vehicles on the road (Ferrández-García, Ibáñez-Forés and Bovea 2016). This will minimize and result in emitting many greenhouse gases that forms smog which is a catalyst in the depletion of ozone layer. Less pollution will help in saving the ozone layer from being depleted.
• Utilize environment friendly cleaning products – Numerous household cleaning products contains harsh chemicals that contributes in degradation of the ozone layer (Moriarty and Honnery 2015). Once it is exposed in the atmosphere, it becomes hazardous and is dangerous for the ozone layer. Therefore, environment friendly cleaning products must be used to arrest such situation and solving the problem of ozone depletion.
• Prohibition of harmful nitrous oxide – In 1989, the Montreal Protocol was created for limiting the emission of chlorofluorocarbons. However, the protocol did not reduce the level of nitrous oxide, which is treated to be a harmful chemical and can destroy the ozone layer. In present, nitrous oxide is still used by individuals. Governments are asked to action and outlaw use of nitrous oxide to minimize the rate of ozone depletion.

Conclusion

Ozone layer gets worse when the stratosphere becomes colder. Global warming traps the heat in the troposphere due to which less amount of heat reaches the stratosphere. The Greenhouse gases acts as a shield for the troposphere and make the stratosphere colder. Global warming can make the ozone depletion worse when it is suppose to begin the recovery. Programs should be maintained to make sure that the ozone depleting components or substances are not released. Ozone layer is a threat to the quality of life on Earth. Harmful gases, which lead to pollution and ozone depletion, must be reduced to protect the life on Earth. Environment friendly products must be used for decreasing the threats to ozone layer depletion. The use of chlorofluorocarbons should be prevented since it demolishes the ozone layer and also results in global warming.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion

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