Thinning of the Ozone Layer

There is a layer of ozone gas in our atmosphere. Ozone is a form of oxygen.
Most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun which enter our atmosphere are absorbed by the ozone layer. This layer in the atmosphere protects life on earth. A large concentration of ozone at ground level is dangerous to human health. Unfortunately, some of the gases we produce on earth such as CFCs rise to the atmosphere where they are broken down by ultraviolet rays to release chlorine. The chlorine released destroys the ozone in the ozone layer. As the ozone layer becomes thinner, more ultraviolet rays from sun are able to reach the earth.

At certain times every year, the level of ozone in the ozone layer over the Antarctica falls drastically and becomes so sparse that there is virtually a hole. The ozone layer has also been found thin out over the Artic regions.

If more ultraviolet rays reach the earth's surface, there will be an increase in skin cancer and cataracts in human beings. Ultraviolet rays affect all life on earth by damaging crops, plants and trees which form the basis of food chains that support life on earth. Ozone molecule is made up of three oxygen atoms bonded together. Environmental threats caused by changing the composition of air leading to global warming and thinning of ozone layer.