Ozone Layer – Importance & Prevention

Ozone Layer - Importance & Prevention
Ozone Layer - Importance & Prevention
Ozone Layer - Importance & Prevention by Radhika Malhotra

Every year 16th of September is celebrated as the International Day for the Prevention of the Ozone. The prevention of the ozone layer is a crucial and the main concern of scientists and various researchers for many years.

Ozone Layer - Importance & Prevention
Ozone – Importance & Prevention

Ozone Day is celebrated to mark the signing of the Montreal Protocol to create awareness about it. This important event led to a collaboration between 24 countries to protect the ozone and spread awareness about the substances that lead to the depletion of the ozone and become one of the threats to the earth and human beings.

On 16th September 2009, the Montreal Protocol became one of the first agendas ever to receive universal acceptance. One needs to first understand what exactly is ozone layer and why its prevention is necessary.

Ozone Layer

In order to understand the ozone layer in a simple world let’s take an example & assume our Earth is a House and the ozone layer is like the roof of the house. Like roof saves our house from various climate changes, heat, cold, and rain.

Pic Courtesy: presidiumindirapuram.com

Similarly, this layer act as the roof of the Earth. Now consider your house without a roof no one can think of living in a house without a roof. This layer protects us from various harmful radiations coming out of the sun. These radiations are harmful to us.

Why Depletion of the ozone layer Happened?

During our school days, we all had read in science that ozone is depleting and it’s a matter of major concern. Now the question arises why the ozone layer is depleting. Scientists and researchers found a hole in the layer which is increasing with the passage of time.

Pic Courtesy: Teachoo

The following are the reasons for its depletion.

The main reason for its depletion is the excessive use of Chlorofluorocarbons. These gases are found in perfumes, deodorants, gases released from refrigerators, and air conditioners.

  • Nitrogenous compounds are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. These substances are used in various pesticides and fertilizers used in the fields. Excessive use of them leads to the depletion of the ozone layer.
  • Volcanic eruptions are also a reason for the depletion of the ozone layer.
  • Frequent launches of rockets for scientific research also lead to the depletion of the ozone layer.
    Various Scientists and researchers found that the use of Hydrofluorocarbons in place of chlorofluorocarbons is less dangerous, hydrofluorocarbons have minimal ozone depletion
    potential than Chlorofluorocarbons.

Side Effects of ozone layer Depletion

If the ozone layer will deplete the harmful ultraviolet Rays (UV rays) from the sun directly coming on the Earth and it will lead to various negative consequences. Direct exposure to ultraviolet might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, and a weak immune system. It also can have adverse effects on the animals such as eye disease and skin disease. Also, the plant kingdom will be affected by less growth and minimal photosynthesis.

Ozone Day is regarded as one of the important events because on this day, awareness about the ozone layer, its important effects of depletion, how to save from depletion, and each and every major point concerning the ozone layer are discussed.

Without this protective umbrella, life forms may cease to exist on Earth, and various diseases like skin cancer, less growth of plants, and diseases in animals may occur frequently. Therefore, events like World Ozone Day are necessary and it is the responsibility of each and every one to save the ozone layer by less using air conditioners, pesticides, and perfumes. Government should also take necessary steps to restrict the use of these harmful gases which are affecting this protective layer.

It is our mother earth and we need to save it. There sure is good news about it now with a little recovery of the ozone hole and measures taken to save further harm.

-Radhika Malhotra

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