Impacts of Ozone Depletion

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun can cause a variety of health problems in humans, including skin cancers, eye cataracts and a reduction in the ability to fight off disease. Furthermore, UV radiation can be damaging to microscopic life in the surface oceans which forms the basis of the worlds food chain, certain varieties of vegetation including rice and soya crops, and polymers used in paints, clothing and other materials.

A loss of ozone in the stratosphere because of mankind's pollution with ozone depleting chemicals such as CFCs will increase the amount of UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. As a consequence, health disorders, damage to plant and aquatic life, and degradation of materials will probably increase. Ozone depletion may even affect the global climate.