Ozone is created when ultraviolet sunlight hits a layer of atmosphere called the stratosphere. This splits the oxygen molecules (O2) apart. The single oxygen molecule (O) quickly joins with another O2 molecule creating O3, or what we call ozone.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere is good; it stops too much ultraviolet radiation from getting to Earth. UV can cause skin cancer. Ozone can be dangerous at ground level. At ground level ozone is called smog. Children are at risk because they are active outside and their lungs aren’t fully developed.
The “hole” in the zone in the upper atmosphere is actually not a hole. It is actually a thinning of the ozone layer. Ozone thinning is caused mainly by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) found in refrigerants and some aerosols. When CFCs enter the atmosphere they are broken down by ultraviolet light. The chlorine atoms can now destroy the ozone. High flying jets have been found to contribute to thinning the ozone as well.
There are a natural causes of ozone depletion, too. Oceans and volcanoes are a source of chlorine. Rain usually vaporizes this chlorine in about a week.. Volcanoes and oceans are estimated to contribute to only a small amount of ozone depletion.
Scientists believe that in the next 20 years a “hole” over the Arctic could occur. It could even become as big as the hole that is now over Antarctica!
Ozone acts as a greenhouse gas that keeps the heat near the earth. This can cause “global warming”. Human activities like burning car fuels create this ozone. Scientist have found that our health, forests, agriculture, water resources, wildlife and coastal areas can be affected by the changes that global warming may bring. That’s why global warming is hazardous to the earth’s health and our health.