In 2016, Anwar and Chaudhry(2016) found that the depletion of the ozone layers is due to
chlorofluorocarbons (CFSc. Chlorofluorocarbons are group of gases that is harmful to the ozone
layer. It is a chemical compound that is composed of chlorine (Cl), Flourine (FL), and Carbon (C).
The CFCs are used for refrigents, rocket launcher and other products such as plastic foam
insulation. When the ozone layer becomes thin, the UV-radiation will enter the earth’s surface.
UV-radiation is damaging to health. Too much exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer and
eye cancer. It has also an adverse effect to the environment. Its impact outspreads to the
destruction of aquatic life and quality of air. Consequently, this contribute to global warming.
According to Emberson and Pandey (2018), ozone is a good gas that composed the ozone
layer. It is a good gas when it is in the stratosphere, but when it is positioned at the troposphere,
the ozone gas becomes a threat to human and plants. The agricultural areas that are near from
industrial site is prone to harmful effects of ozone. Some of the areas are in the Midwestern
United States of America (USA), coast of China, and in Indo-Gangetic plains in the South Asia. The
congregation of ozone in these agricultural areas affects the growth of plants that results to
reduction of yields. Plants that are damaged by ozone pollution manifests a yellowish color of
the leaves. The emissions of substances that contributes to ozone gases do not only affect the
area of its origin, but rather it can spread to other continents through hemispheric transport.
These areas that has increasing level of ozone is vulnerable to food production and security.
Emberson and Pandey (2018) also reported that India's crop production is already affected by
high concentration of ozone, suggesting an estimated 14 to 16 percent reduction in harvest of
wheat and rice.
Adam and Dowe (1988) reported the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion in the
agricultural sector of the United States (US). The depletion of the ozone layer is one of the many
environmental issues that affects not only the human health, but also the productivity of plants
and agricultural crops. In this case, Adam and Dowe (1988) found out that the depletion of the
ozone layer negatively affects the agricultural productivity due to the increasing harmful effects
of the ultra-violet radiation (UV-B). The variations on the yields of crop contributes to an
estimated 0.9 billion dollars of economic losses in US. Meanwhile, the result also suggested that
around 1.3 to 2.5 billion dollars is loss from the effects of both the ultra-violet radiation and
stratospheric ozone depletion.
Ozone layer is vital to all living things on earth as it protects them from the harmful effects
of UV-rays. Fahey and Hegglin (2011) presented 20 questions and answers on the depletion of
the ozone layer. According to Fahey and Heggler (2011), there is a rigorous thinning of the ozone
layer in Antarctica, which is also called the "ozone hole". It was in the 1980s that the ozone hole
was first recorded and it has increased in the 20 th century. Meanwhile, in 1989, the Montreal
Protocol was formulated and established. It is intended to stop the production and consumption
of the substances that cause the depletion of the ozone layer. Fortunately, the protocols were
successful in controlling the massive creation and consumption of these substances. If nations
will continue to follow and observe the conditions under this international agreement, this will
largely help in reducing the gases.
The thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer due to the adverse effect of atmospheric
pollution has resulted to an increased UV-years at the earth’s surface. According to Normal
(2010), the depletion of the ozone layer has an adverse impact on health, particularly on the eyes
and the skin. The harmful effects of ultra-violet radiation can cause genetic mutation and the
threat of melanoma and non-melanoma cancer of the skin. It is not only dangerous to the eyes
and skin, but as well as to the immune system of the body. UV-rays can block the immune
responses, specifically the adaptive immune system. Too much exposure to UV radiation can
also lead to sun allergy such as Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE), which happens to estimated 5
to 20 percent of the population. The PLE is manifested by red, itchy, and erupted skin. The
harmful effects of the thinning of the ozone layer to human health is one of the major issues that
is widespread today. However, to reduce the effect of too much exposure to UV radiation, the
use of personal protection is highly encouraged.
Emberson, L., & Pandey, D. (2018, April 13). Why ozone levels pose a challenge to food
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Fahey, W. D., & Hegglin, M. I. (n.d.). 20 questions and answers. Ozone Secretariat.
Retrieved November 6, 2021, from https://ozone.unep.org/20-questions-and-answers.
Adams, R. M., & Dowe, R. D. (2004, December 17). The economic effects of
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Norval, M. (n.d.). The human health effects of ozone depletion and interactions with climate
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