The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists had discovered that a massive hole in the ozone layer in our mother Earth was already at alarming rate. NASA satellites have found the size of the ozone hole was already at 9.8 million square miles over Antarctica as of September 15, 1999.

British researchers revealed the ozone hole over the South Pole has reappeared every Antarctic spring, growing bigger and deeper, since they published measurements about it in 1985. According to the authorities, half of the ozone layer vanished for several months in 1987. It was in the 1970s when NASA scientists discovered a massive hole in the earth’s layer of ozone above Antarctica.

What is ozone? Ozone is a form of oxygen. It is a gas which forms a protective layer on earth by absorbing much of the ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is also essential to life for it has ability to screen damages of ultraviolet light from reaching the surface of the earth. The exposure to ultraviolet radiation will be greater and may affect one’s health if there is a hole in the sky. It is a term for the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere, which serves as an efficient screen from the damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Ultraviolet rays also known as UV rays are invisible rays as light energy being released by the sun.

Reports revealed scientists currently resolve that the main cause of the Antarctic zone hole is the buildup of man-made chlorine and bromine compounds, most remarkably are the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.

What are chlorofluorocarbons? These are chemicals composed of fluoride, chlorine and carbons. These have been extensively used in industry for decades because of its stability, non-flammability and low toxicity. Chlorofluorocarbons and halons are used as aerosol repellants, cooling agents in refrigerators and air conditions and detergents for electronic parts. (CFCs are also used in fire extinguishers, in making styrofoams, plastic foams, hair sprays and others.

The CFCs float in the atmosphere where the ozone layer is located. More ultraviolet light penetrate into the earth upon the ozone layer breakdown, when the harmless CFCs are released into the atmosphere. The chlorine in CFCs reacts with the ozone to form ordinary oxygen, which reduces the effectiveness of the layer. CFCs are among the most prevalent and widely scattered air pollutants. Once there is a hole in the sky, the exposure to ultraviolet radiation will be greater and may affect to everybody’s health.

Effects of depletion on the ozone layer:

A. On human health.

• Ultraviolet radiation influences the structure of vitamin D in the skin which is vital for a healthy bone growth.
• The sun’s ultraviolet rays easily pass through stratum corneum also known as skin’s outer layer and damage the cells and structures beneath.

Ultraviolet light has two varieties: Ultraviolet A, the so called: “tanning rays”, which never cause sunburn provided it is not done at very high doses, and Ultraviolet B also known as the “burning rays”. Both of these types can penetrate the outer layer of the skin and cause damage. Ultraviolet can cause sunburn, aging effects in the skin including wrinkles, brown spots, a leathery dry texture, development of precancerous skin diseases like skin cancer, cataract and snow blindness.

• An increased of UV or ultraviolet radiation might also lead to the development of measles, chicken pox, herpes and others.

B. On food supply coming from land.

• Ultraviolet is damaging because it affects the capacity of plants to capture light emerging in the process of photosynthesis. The nutrient content and the growth of the plants may also be decreased.

C. On food supply from the sea.

• Once the ultraviolet radiation increases the marine life suffers. Both plant and animal plankton are damaged through UV radiation. These losses have a direct impact on food supply from the sea.

D. It causes air pollution.

• Problems with photochemical smog, a product of the reaction of automobile exhausts with sunlight, maybe worsen with increased UV light on the surface of earth.

E. It affects building materials.

• Polymers used in building materials, paints, rubber, packaging, and other several places are degraded by ultraviolet rays. The extent of damage of UV light will be more severe in areas with high temperatures and abundant sunshine.

F. As more rays from the sun hit the earth, global warming takes place.

• The atmosphere is a mixture of various gases which include nitrogen, CFCs, and inert substances, like neon and helium. Numerous changes take place in the atmosphere. One of these changes is the greenhouse effect- when earth becomes warmer due to the heart energy trapped in the atmosphere-commonly known as global warming. Several researches reveal that the effects of global warming are severe. Among of these consequences are a warmer earth, water in the seas expand, risks of flood in the lowlands. Thus, raging floods would be disastrous in low lying countries like Bangladesh, England, Maldives and Netherlands. The rise in the sea level would be emphasized if the ice around the polar caps starts melting. The changes in the climate could mean temperature extremes- expanded droughts in some areas, heavy downpour of rains in other places, with increased risks of floods.

Meanwhile, in his final address to the Regional Committee, World Health Organizations governing body in the Western Pacific, Director Dr. Shigeru Omi recently identified the need to strengthen health systems and to prepare for climate change as two of the gravest health challenges facing countries in Asian Pacific Region.

As for the effect of the climate change, which he described as part of the bigger issue of global health security, Dr. Omi revealed that global warming would enlarge the range of mosquitoes that carry malaria and dengue to areas other than natural South-East Asia habitat. He also said that some low-lying island states in the Pacific were at risk from rising ocean levels, while heat levels and droughts elsewhere were among the many factors containing the global food crisis.

The International Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer and the Montreal Protocol were conducted in 1985 and 1987. The two conventions were held after scientists worldwide were alarmed on the depletion of the ozone layer and they emphasized the need of urgent measures against it. In these conventions, an agreement was established that nations should take steps to reduce the production and use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). If you love and are concerned with our mother Earth, it is best to partake in the prevention of the depletion of the ozone layer:

• Avoid using products which contain CFCs such as fresheners, aerosol hair sprays, and cosmetics in plastic containers
• Have an active involvement in the genuine and beautification projects in your community and school, tree planting and backyard gardening
• Use fertilizers which are made of materials that come from living matter and are environmental-friendly
• Establish a joint force among authorities from national, local government units, school and parents to disseminate basic information to the children and people in the community about the prevention of ozone layer depletion and how to save our mother Earth against the ill effects of it
• Motorists such as drivers should conduct regular inspection, repair and maintenance of the vehicle to prevent excessive smoke emission which causes air pollution, and save on gasoline and crude oil
• Avoid burning of plastics and rubber tires
• Avoid using products in plastic containers of pressurized containers

The following are also among the most widespread air pollutants and their corresponding environmental and health effects:

• Lead- It is a silvery metal, although a freshly cut surface soon takes on a dull gray coating of tarnish. Lead compounds are added to gasoline to reduce “knocking” in engine. Lead is so soft you can scratch it with your fingernail. Lead may enter the systems of our body through the air, water, and food that we eat. Leaded gasoline is hazardous to the air we breathe. All soluble lead compounds are poisonous and accumulate in the body. Ten percent of lead comes from smoke-belching vehicles and diesel oil. Among the ill effects of lead on health are headache, dizziness, constipation, anemia; if lead in the blood is low, paralysis, convulsion, mental retardation, emphysema if lead concentration in the blood is very high and death.
• Carbon monoxide is produced through the exhaust or smoke from motor vehicles like cars, jitneys, buses, trucks and tractors. It has ill effects on health such as dizziness, headache, blurred vision, confusion, increase of heartbeat and blood pressure, fainting and death.
• Sulfur oxide comes from engine exhaust, industrial plant operations and factory chimneys. It has bad effects on health such as irritation of the eyes, adenoids, rhinitis, sinusitis, coughing, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, tonsillitis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, croup, lung cancer.
• Hydrogen benzene is released (hydrocarbons) through incomplete burning of gasoline from vehicles, evaporation of fuel, solvent and paint. It has ill effects on health such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat caused by photochemical smog which is produced when hydrocarbon reacts with nitrogen oxide in the sunlight; leukemia and cancer.
• Dust, particles, Ash and soot are produced through industrial plants, gasoline and diesel operated and machinery; windstorms. These have bad health effects such as irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs; complexity in breathing caused by big particles which block air sacs.
• Asbestos come from products used as insulators and Freon used in refrigerators. These have ill health effects on skin, eyes, respiratory and nervous systems.
• Insecticides, fungicide and herbicide come from DDT or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. These have bad health effects on skin, eyes, and respiratory and nervous system.

Prevention and Control against the above air pollutants:

• It is best to use unleaded gasoline instead of crude oil for the vehicle
• Replace an old vehicle which has been used for ten years or more and renew it to prevent air pollutants
• Equip vehicles with catalytic converters which turn pollutants into harmless substances
• Be alert to get the plate number of the smoke-belching vehicle and immediately report it to the nearest police authority station or to the environmental office
• If you are students, write to concerned authorities and newspaper about the air pollution problem
• Immediately report to the proper authorities when you spot smoke-belching vehicles
• Disseminate information to members of the family, friends and neighbors about the dangers of air pollution
• Walk, use a bike or join a car pool as much as possible
• Avoid smoking