Ozone Depletion Essay

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The depletion of the ozone layer has been a trending topic after it was first discovered in 1970. The ozone layer is a portion of the earth’s stratosphere which absorbs most of the sun’s UV rays hence preventing cancer and other fatal illness to the skin. It contains high concentrations of O3 and at a constant rate is being broken down and. Since 1970, it has been discovered that about 4% of the ozone layer wears off every decade and is as a result of day-to-day human activity.

From the day-to-day use of CFC’s (Chloro fluoro carbons) and other depletion substances the ozone wears off more and more. These substances are referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). They are usually found in chemicals and as a result of causing depletion in the ozone layer, cause skin cancer and disorder in humans and animals as well. CFC’s are used as coolers in refrigerators, and air conditioners. They used to be used in car air conditioners until 1995, when it was discovered the CFS’s were depleting the ozone. Industrially, they are found in solvents and sometimes in dry cleaning agents. Furthermore, cleaning agents, foam insulation and packaging materials are also known to aid in the ozone depletion.

The earth cannot hold life without the ozone, which epitomizes the very opposite of a trivial situation. In the ozone cycle, there are three forms of oxygen present: atomic oxygen, O, molecular oxygen, O2 (oxygen gas) and triatomic oxygen, O3. Photodissociation of the oxygen molecule converts molecular oxygen into two atomic oxygen radicals, which then combine with more O2 molecules to form O3 molecules. These O3 molecules absorbs UV rays thus preventing the risk of cance...

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... measures also help eradicate illegal manufacturers of Ozone Depleting Substances. The topic of Ozone depletion has been a trending one raising heated debates and conservation worldwide. Human activity has been the prime cause of the depletion and thus can be eradicated through human activities in order to conserve it to sustain life. The use of CFC’s have otherwise known as Ozone Depletion Substances have caused patches/ holes in the ozone layer, which protects life from direct ultra-violet rays. The exposure to these rays make humans prone to cancer and other fatal diseases and soon the earth will not be able to sustain life. To curb or totally eradicate this, countries have come together to raise awareness, provide funds and support movements to eliminate Ozone Depletion Substances to make life on earth sustainable to live on and for future generations to come.

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