Recently, the release of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, has caused an increase in the depletion of the ozone which in turn causes an excessive amount of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation to reach the earth. According to “Health and Environmental,” “A 10% reduction in ozone could lead to as much as a 15-20% increase in UV exposure depending on the biological process being considered.” This creates a lot of problems because an increase in UV radiation creates biological effects, or health effects, in a lot of organisms. The biological effects of excessive UV radiation due to ozone depletion effects the health of humans, plants, and animals. There are many human health problems due to an increased amount of UV radiation reaching the earth. For example,
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Sunglasses can protect our eyes to a certain extent, but with excessive radiation, sunglasses will no longer be able to protect our eyes (“Some Effects”). In fact, it has been shown in the United States that people who live in areas with more sun, like in the south, are two times more likely to develop cataracts than those who live in less sunny places, like in the north. Furthermore, “the prevalence of cataract after age 30 approximately doubling each decade” is due to an increase in more harmful forms of UV radiation reaching earth’s surface (“Health Effects”). Another biological effect is that an excessive exposure to UV radiation due to ozone depletion can cause skin cancer to develop in more people. In fact, the United Nations Environment Program states that even a one percent depletion of the earth’s ozone layer can lead to a two to three percent increase in cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. UV radiation can also subdue the body’s way of fighting infections, making people more susceptible to contracting diseases (“Some Effects”). This happens when the skin absorbs too much UV radiation and becomes overloaded with foreign cells that the immune system will try to react …show more content…
Sea animals that live close to the surface of the ocean receive detrimental intensities of UV radiation since they are so exposed in the location in which they live. For example, the sea urchins’ cellular division in eggs are mutated or damaged because of the UV radiation (“Some Effects”). They are not the only ones, however. Fish larvae tend to be near the surface as well and have no protection against UV radiation, which can affect growth. Also, excessive UV radiation can prevent fish from reaching puberty (Mueller). Like in humans, UV radiation has been a link in cancers in all kinds of animals, like pets and livestock. The UV radiation creates squamous cell carcinomas which are types of skin cancer. Also, in studies of small animals of the rodent variety, increased UV radiation caused a decrease in immune system response, resulting in worsening of diseases. UV radiation can prevent cells from triggering T helper type 1 cells, or TH1 cells, which create immune system responses to pathogens. This inhibition of immune system reaction can increase infections and decrease immunity to those infections (“Health and Environmental”). Another skin problem is lesions or sores on the epidermis or other organs of the body on large animals exposed to excessive UV radiation such as whales, dolphins, and seals, which in some cases results in death (Mueller). Animal biological effects due to
Sunglasses can protect our eyes to a certain extent, but with excessive radiation, sunglasses will no longer be able to protect our eyes (“Some Effects”). In fact, it has been shown in the United States that people who live in areas with more sun, like in the south, are two times more likely to develop cataracts than those who live in less sunny places, like in the north. Furthermore, “the prevalence of cataract after age 30 approximately doubling each decade” is due to an increase in more harmful forms of UV radiation reaching earth’s surface (“Health Effects”). Another biological effect is that an excessive exposure to UV radiation due to ozone depletion can cause skin cancer to develop in more people. In fact, the United Nations Environment Program states that even a one percent depletion of the earth’s ozone layer can lead to a two to three percent increase in cases of non-melanoma skin cancer. UV radiation can also subdue the body’s way of fighting infections, making people more susceptible to contracting diseases (“Some Effects”). This happens when the skin absorbs too much UV radiation and becomes overloaded with foreign cells that the immune system will try to react …show more content…
Sea animals that live close to the surface of the ocean receive detrimental intensities of UV radiation since they are so exposed in the location in which they live. For example, the sea urchins’ cellular division in eggs are mutated or damaged because of the UV radiation (“Some Effects”). They are not the only ones, however. Fish larvae tend to be near the surface as well and have no protection against UV radiation, which can affect growth. Also, excessive UV radiation can prevent fish from reaching puberty (Mueller). Like in humans, UV radiation has been a link in cancers in all kinds of animals, like pets and livestock. The UV radiation creates squamous cell carcinomas which are types of skin cancer. Also, in studies of small animals of the rodent variety, increased UV radiation caused a decrease in immune system response, resulting in worsening of diseases. UV radiation can prevent cells from triggering T helper type 1 cells, or TH1 cells, which create immune system responses to pathogens. This inhibition of immune system reaction can increase infections and decrease immunity to those infections (“Health and Environmental”). Another skin problem is lesions or sores on the epidermis or other organs of the body on large animals exposed to excessive UV radiation such as whales, dolphins, and seals, which in some cases results in death (Mueller). Animal biological effects due to