Why the ozone layer is so important

Ozone is a molecule that is formed by three oxygen atoms and that is presented in a gaseous way in the atmosphere. It is a molecule found in nature and that, on our planet, is especially concentrated in the so -called ozone layer, which is nothing other than a layer that is located in a part of our atmospherespecifically in the stratosphere (between 15 and 50 kilometers high from the surface).

This ozone layer extends throughout the entire stratosphere And it has a fundamental importance for life on earth, since ozone molecules act as a shield of solar radiation. In other words, the radiation that comes to us through the activity of the sun is minimized because, before reaching the biosphere that is located on the surface of the planet, it passes through these ozone molecules, which makes it a part of such radiation is returned to space. Consequently, the light and solar radiation that reaches the earth and the oceans does not become dangerous for living beings.

The hole of the ozone layer is, as the name implies, A reduction in the amount of ozone in that layer and that allows the entry of large amounts of ultraviolet light on our planet. This hole in the ozone layer is located in the poles (on the Antarctic continent and the Arctic Ocean) and is especially large during the respective spring of two hemispheres. Subsequently, during the summer, it seems to recover. Then the degradation process begins in the opposite pole and the process is repeated more or less cyclically.

This hole responds to Natural fluctuations of ozone in the atmosphere through the electromagnetic field of the planet. However, Due to human activityit is also true that certain types of gases that are emitted end up ascending to the stratosphere and degrading the ozone molecules. That is, some gases that produce human activity destroy ozone molecules, which causes the ozone layer to lose weight and, consequently, that the hole is greater.

This is a True environmental and health problemsince the excess of solar radiation is dangerous for any way of life and, in the case of animals, it can become the cause of very varied diseases, which would go since skin burns to even cancer.

Due to the importance of the ozone layer when it comes to protecting life on earth, there are more and more governments and institutions advocating take action to protect it. This protection has to proceed mainly from the elimination of those gases that destroy ozone. In this sense, the best way the citizen on foot has to protect the ozone layer is to avoid consuming products they contain, or that for their manufacture imply, the release of ozone destructive gases to the atmosphere. Some of the most dangerous gases for the ozone layer are the following:

CFC gases

CFC means chlorofluorocarbons, and are the most destructive gases that can be used to destroy the ozone layer. They were widely used in the case of products that were released in the form of aerosol. Since the second half of the twentieth century its use has been prohibited or reduced. However, even today you can find some products that include them, so it is always good to search the product label that is a “cfc free” spray. In addition to the aerosols, the appliances such as Neveras and Ancient Conditioned also used them, so it is essential that, when it comes to getting rid of these equipment, they are taken to a clean point to be managed properly. In the following article we talk more in depth about CFC pollution.

Halogenated hydrocarbon

Also known simply as “Halón.” It is a product that can be found in some fire extinguishers. The best way to avoid this is that, when buying a fire extinguisher, we make sure that this gas does not include.

Methyl bromide

It is a pesticide that is used in some wooden plantations but, when freeing in the environment, destroys the ozone of the atmosphere. The best way to avoid it is to ensure that the furniture we acquire is not made with wood treated with this pesticide.

Nitrous oxide

It is a gas that releases cars in the combustion of gasoline and, especially, diesel. The best way to avoid its production is to minimize the use of these means of transport, either by opting for public transport, the electric vehicle or the bicycle. Likewise, we can also find nitrous oxide in the decomposition of the farm manure, so reducing our consumption of food from animal origin also helps to avoid the deterioration of the ozone layer.

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