Greater loss of Earth's ozone layer may up skin cancer, cataract risks: Study

A huge hole in the Earths ozone layer seven times larger than the Antarctic ozone hole may increase the risk of skin cancers and cataracts among humans and also affect agricultural productivity and aquatic organisms warned a Canadian researcherThe ozone layer is known to absorb most of the suns ultraviolet radiation UVQingBin Lu a scientist from the University of Waterloo in Canadas Ontario revealed a large allseason ozone hole defined as an area of ozone loss larger than 25 per cent compared with the undisturbed atmosphere in the lower stratosphere over the tropics comparable in depth to that of the wellknown springtime Antarctic hole but its area is roughly seven times greaterThe tropics constitute half the planets surface area and are home to about half the worlds population The existence of the tropical ozone hole may cause great global concern said LuThe depletion of the ozone layer can lead to increased groundlevel UV radiation which can increase risk of skin cancer and cataracts in humans as well as weaken human immune systems decrease agricultural productivity and negatively affect sensitive aquatic organisms and ecosystems Lu noted in the paper published in the journal AIP AdvancesAccording to Lu the ozone hole is currently sitting over tropical regions and has been since the 1980sThe observation of the ozone hole comes as a surprise to Lus peers in the scientific community since it was not predicted by conventional photochemical modelsAs with the polar ozone hole approximately 80 per cent of the normal ozone value is found to be depleted at the centre of the tropical ozone hole Preliminary reports show ozone depletion levels over equatorial regions are already endangering large populations and the associated UV radiation reaching these regions is far greater than expectedLu said the tropical and polar ozone holes play a major role in cooling and regulating stratospheric temperatures mirroring the formation of three temperature holes in the global stratosphere He said this finding may prove crucial to better understanding global climate changeThe present discovery calls for further careful studies of ozone depletion UV radiation change increased cancer risks and other negative effects on health and ecosystems in the tropical regions said LuAlso readFloodbasalt volcanic eruptions might warm climate destroy ozone layer NASAThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever