The ozone layer and its impact on human health

Abstract

The formation of life on Earth and the presence of various ecosystems were determined by several factors, and one of the most important among them is the atmosphere. In particular, the ozone layer (O3), located in the second layer of the atmosphere, 12-35 kilometers above the earth's surface, in the stratosphere, where 90% of ozone is present, the remaining amount of ozone, about 10%, is located in the troposphere. Stratospheric ozone is important for environmental protection. At present, uncontrolled industrial activities and other actions have put humanity at great risk, which has resulted in the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other halocarbons into the air. After being released in the stratosphere, molecules of these compounds interact with ultraviolet radiation to release bromine and chlorine. It is a known fact, that one molecule of CFC can destroy as many as 100,000 ozone molecules. Ozone-depleting substances and factors include carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, hydrobromofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, bromochloromethane, nitrogen oxides, space rockets, airplanes flying at 12-15 km overhead, global warming, etc. The previously mentioned reactions and substances caused the depletion of the ozone layer and the so-called occurrence of "Ozone holes", discovered near the poles. It can be said assuredly that the depletion of the ozone layer and its resulting effects, such as premature aging, an increase in the number of skin cancer patients, in particular basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, weakening of the immune system, damage to the cornea, conjunctival membrane, crystal and retinal membrane of the eye, and others have become one of the serious challenges of modernity. All of the aforementioned led to the Montreal Protocol, aimed to protect the ozone layer by reducing ozone-depleting gases. Georgia officially joined the "Montreal Protocol" and the "Vienna Convention" in 1996. It is also worth noting that dealing with such a global problem and the experience gained within it will also help us  in the fight against climate change.