Written Statement

Ozone layer depletion is defined as the breaking down of ozone molecules in the ozone layer by man-made chemicals, leading to increased amounts of ultraviolet light reaching earth’s surface and harming humans, animals, and plants. An ozone molecule consists of three oxygen molecules and is created when UV light breaks down an oxygen molecule, leaving it free to bind with other oxygen molecules. Ozone molecules play a big part in our atmosphere by blocking dangerous ultraviolet rays from reaching earth’s surface in the ozone layer. The actual ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, which is above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The overall problem with the ozone layer is that humans were using too many chemicals and substances in machines and technology that would end up in the stratosphere breaking down many ozone molecules. This would lower the chance and capability of ozone molecules to block the dangerous ultraviolet rays released by the sun. Although many of the harmful chemicals that originally were used in different products were legal many years ago, they have been banned from daily use today by the Montreal Protocol and other laws and regulations. Though these laws help protect the ozone layer, the ozone depleting chemicals have already done their damage. A good example of the damage done by ozone depleting substances can be seen in the ozone hole over the Antarctic region. This hole has stretched over the whole continent and even out into some of the surrounding ocean. Thanks to the laws and regulations put in place, the hole has gotten smaller over the past few years. According to scientists, the ozone layer will not fully recover for at least another 50 years.
Why should you be concerned about this? This affects you because if exposed to ultraviolet rays too long, many problems and illnesses can result. Over exposure to UV rays can result in diseases like skin cancer, cataracts, sun burns, and problems with the immune system. To help fix the problem, governments and agencies have passed rules and laws like the Montreal Protocol to help cut down on the harmful substances and chemicals used. These rules have proved to help the ozone layer substantially so far, but there is still more work to be done. There are still many substances and products used daily that hurt the ozone layer. A good example of one could be nitrous oxide (N2O). This compound is commonly used medically as a “laughing gas”/anesthesia, but in racing and in rockets it is used as a propellant that speeds up the vehicle. This molecule has been proven to deplete the ozone layer, yet it is still used by people every day. Not only has this substance been proved to harm the ozone layer, but it also is a contributor to global warming because of its ability to trap heat by speeding up reactions between atoms and compounds. It is substances like these that will keep weakening the ozone layer if we do not do anything to control them.