Environmental health
If we keep polluting, will there be no more ozone layer? If there is no ozone layer what would the sun's rays do to us?
Hi Andrew, Scientists in the world are working hard to make sure that the ozone layer will not disappear. Research indicates that if we keep working hard to protect the ozone layer, it is expected to recover in the next 50 years. Stratospheric ozone plays a beneficial role by absorbing most of the biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight (called UV-B), allowing only a small amount to reach the Earth's surface. The absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone creates a source of heat, which actually forms the stratosphere itself. Ozone thus plays a key role in the temperature structure of the Earth's atmosphere. Without the filtering action of the ozone layer, more of the Sun's UV-B radiation would penetrate the atmosphere and would reach the Earth's surface. Many experimental studies of plants and animals and clinical studies of humans have shown the harmful effects of excessive exposure to UV-B radiation. Some of the harmful effects are increased rates of skin cancer, cataracts and a decline of the immune response system. I did a search in www.google.com for loss of ozone layer and found some good websites that will give you more information. Science - Ozone Basics http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm Effects of Ozone on Human Health http://www.atmos.umd.edu/~owen/CHPI/IMAGES/o3effecs.html Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/directory/Science/Environment/Global_Change/Ozone_Layer Be sure to visit your school or public library. The librarian can show you books on Ozone and the environment. There are also recent articles in various science magazines on the Ozone layer. Good luck with your research and thank you for submitting your question to Ask NSDL. Melodye C. Librarian