What is Ozone? Ozone is a natural, colourless gas made up of oxygen (O3) which is very active. Ozone also forms a gaseous layer, mostly in the stratosphere (the upper atmosphere) 15-30 km above the surface of the earth, and protects like on earth by absorbing biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF UV-B RAYS The Ultraviolet B commonly known as UV-b is extremely harmful to life on earth. It has the capacity to cause diseases like skin cancer, eye cataract and DNA mutation in humans. It can also reduce the yield of crops and reduce fish population.
WHY IS THE OZONE LAYER VITAL TO LIFE ON EARTH? The ozone layer is a protective shield that blocks the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the earth's surface. However, the ozone layer is destroyed by man-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
Scientific research has proved that the natural balance of stratospheric ozone has been damaged by the production and release into the atmosphere of ozone-depleting substances, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, hydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methyl bromide. These substances are found in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, aerosols, agricultural fumigants, foam and in solvents for cleaning electronic equipment.
Protecting our atmosphere for generations to come
OZONE CELL MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
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