New study confirms healing of Ozone layer

A team of researchers has found evidence that the protective layer above the Earth has finally started to heal itself, thanks to the efforts taken to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals that damage the environment. This is, by far, one of the great successes achieved in the history of environment prevention efforts.

The scientists first identified and pointed to the depletion of the ozone layer in the 1970s. The protective layer present in the stratosphere protects everything on Earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays.

The depletion of ozone initially started because of the CFCs, which is a chemical widely used in air conditioners and refrigerators. These chemicals have already resulted in a massive hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica. The damage further spread toward the North, however, it has been controlled now.

Thankfully, scientists unveiled the problem associated with ozone depletion in time. In Montreal Protocol of 1987, leaders from around the globe agreed to phase out CFCs, despite the warning from the industrialists that it would severely increase the cost of the products.

As a result, the ozone depletion eventually slowed down. Without the protection of the layer, billions of people around the world would be exposed to an excessive amount of UV radiation, which may, in turn, soar the skin cancer rates. Many people already have developed skin cancer in Punta, Arenas, Chile, the region that lies directly below the ozone hole. UV radiation no only impacts humans, but agriculture and marine life as well.

The complete details of the study have been published in the journal Science.