Public health ozone depletion

Measured total column ozone has fallen between about 1970 and 1994. Ultraviolet irradiation increases at the surface of the earth due to ozone depletion should peak at about 15% in midlatitudes. The incidence of harmful health effects of UV radiation can be expected to rise, eventually, at midlatitudes. Public health action is still necessary to reduce sun exposure, increase protection against the sun, and develop clear policies on the action that should be taken on early detection and treatment of skin cancers (Armstrong, 1997). 

There is a vaiiety of problems associated with air pollution, starting from photochemical smog, ozone formation, and acid rain at a regional level, to the greenhouse effect and ozone-layer depletion at a global level. These problems have an adverse impact on both environment and public health (Table 1.1) the last two problems are a threat to life on Earth generally. 

In the US, the Clean Air Act was introduced in 1963 as a federal law to control air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for enforcing the regulations and for protecting the public from airborne contaminants that are hazardorrs to health arising from domestic and industrial sources. There have been subsequent amendments to the Act, particularly to address airborne pollution such as acid rain and effects of ozone depletion. 

Human activities harmfully influence the environment and nature in many ways. The production of undesirable wastewater, waste gas, and liquid plus solid residues seems to be inevitable during chemical processes. The public is more sensitive to pollution of the aquatic environment and the depletion of clean water resources, because they have an immediate impact on daily routine and recreational activities. However, air pollution has an adverse impact on our health in the short and long term, and the problems of the greenhouse effect and the destruction of stratospheric ozone could extinguish life from the face of the Earth. These problems are enhanced by overpopulation and urbanization. Today, urban areas can be seen as monsters that consume large amounts of energy, matter, and freshwater and release all kinds of waste into the environment. 

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