Ozone Depletion
Ozone depletion is the gradual thinning of the Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. These compounds, known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), rise into the stratosphere where they are broken down by the sun's ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms that destroy ozone molecules. The depletion of the ozone layer increases the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems in humans, as well as damage to crops and marine life. The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987, has been successful in reducing the production and consumption of ODS, leading to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer.
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