Ozone and Health: 16 September: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
A ozone layer
The term "ozone layer" is used to refer to an area of the Earth's atmosphere located in the stratosphere, between 20 and 50 km above sea level. This layer contains 90% of the total amount of ozone present in our atmosphere, and is responsible for absorbing 97-99% of the ultraviolet or high-frequency radiation that reaches us from the Sun. It was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Later, the British physicist Gordon Dobson studied its properties and deduced, by observing the meteorite fall trajectories in the atmosphere, that the temperature profile in the troposphere was not constant, rising considerably, due to the fact that UV radiation was absorbed to a greater extent in this area. Dobson was the first scientist to become aware of the importance of studying and understanding the properties of the layer for the maintenance of life on our planet. Thus, between 1928 and 1958, he established a network of observation stations to continuously monitor the evolution of the ozone layer. In accordance with and in recognition of his work, the unit of measurement of ozone content is known as the "Dobson unit" and represents the amount of ozone contained in a layer 1 mm thick and with a surface amplitude of 5x10 degrees, theoretically placed over the Labrador Peninsula. In later years Dobson, in collaboration with meteorologist Alan Brewer, was able to explain by means of circulation models the details of the ozone layer in its different thicknesses according to latitude, and thanks to the network of observation stations created in the 1980s evidence was found of the appearance of the so-called "ozone hole".
Earlier, in the early 1970s, the first warnings of the possible dangers to the ozone layer posed by human activity were published. The first factor identified was associated with the emission of nitroxene oxides by supersonic passenger aircraft such as the Concorde. Then came alerts related to hydrochloric acid emissions from NASA's space shuttle engines, and finally in 1974 the famous article by Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina warned of the harmful effect on the ozone layer of chlorine released by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which could destroy ozone.
The evidence discovered in this research and published internationally in various scientific articles led the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to conduct the first international assessment of the state of the ozone layer in 1975. In 1977 the WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established an Ozone Layer Action Plan which led to the publication in 1981 of the first scientific assessment of the state of the ozone layer, which was followed by others published every four years by the WMO's Global Atmosphere Watch Programme (GAW). On the other hand, and in commemoration of the anniversary of the establishment in Montreal in 1987 of the Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the General Assembly of the United Nations established 16 September as "International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer", urging Member States to "devote this special day to the promotion of concrete activities that correspond to the objectives and purposes of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments". Among the fundamental measures proposed is the elimination of the use of substances that deplete stratospheric ozone, with the aim of protecting the ozone layer for current and future generations.
Compliance with the Montreal Protocol has been demonstrating its effectiveness as the amount of CRCs has been slowly decreasing in recent years. However, the reality is that there are still sufficient quantities of chlorine and bromine in the atmosphere from ozone depleting substances (ODS) to cause ozone depletion between 14 and 20 km altitude in the Antarctic stratosphere (the Antarctic ozone layer continues to appear every spring between August and September), and even in the Arctic regions there can be ozone depletion. It should be borne in mind that ozone depletion in the polar regions is greater than in mid-latitudes due to different meteorological conditions and the formation of polar stratospheric clouds that trigger chemical reactions that transform intermediate gases into ozone-depleting active chlorine through catalytic cycles. The evolution of the ozone layer in the second half of the 21st century will depend to a large extent on the atmospheric content of long-lived greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. Other aspects to take into account are the so-called "banks" of ODS from old equipment that has not yet been disposed of, such as old refrigerators that have not yet been recycled, which could deteriorate and leak ODS from inside them into the atmosphere, or the fact that atmospheric carbon tetrachloride is not decreasing as fast as one might think, nor are its emissions really as reported by the Parties to the Protocol.
The ozone layer and the public health.
With regard to considerations relating to ozone depletion and its implications, not only for the environment but also for public health, a large number of scientific papers and reports have been published in recent years on the impact of climate change and on the effect of stratospheric ozone depletion on human health, especially in relation to its incidence on dermatological diseases. The worldwide increase in skin cancer and other conditions related to ultraviolet radiation, such as its effects on the eyes and the immune system, were recognised by the WHO, which called for prevention strategies. There is scientific evidence of an increase in skin cancer in people with prolonged exposure to solar radiation, especially in childhood, and it is estimated that a 1% decrease in the ozone layer results in a 2% increase in the number of cases of this type of cancer. There is also evidence linking high exposure to ultraviolet radiation with an increased risk of cataracts or immunodepressive disorders. In estimating the incidence of skin cancer due to exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation, the fact that vitamin D symptoms depend on the pigmentation of the skin and the degree of exposure does not make it easy to give a clear recommendation on the optimal doses of UVB exposure to sufficiently increase vitamin D symptoms without increasing the risk of skin cancer. It should also be taken into account that personal doses of UV radiation depend on various factors: environmental (latitude, altitude, aerosols, clouds, etc.) and social (type of work, leisure, aesthetics, etc.).
Ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the sun with different wavelengths in the forms UVA, UVB and UVC, but thanks to its absorption by the atmosphere, 99% of the ultraviolet rays that reach us are of the UVA type, avoiding the most harmful radiation for health, such as UVC (shorter wavelengths that are absorbed by oxygen and ozone in the atmosphere) and UVB (which are partially absorbed by ozone and can cause risks). The increase in solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface can have serious effects, not only on people, but also on other forms of life, even in small doses. In the controlled exposure to it, it must be taken into account that only cumulus clouds of great vertical development attenuate these radiations practically to zero, but other formations such as cirrus clouds, stratus and cumulus clouds do not attenuate them, that is why photoprotection is also essential on cloudy days.
The sun always has positive effects on humans when exposed to it in adequate doses, but ultraviolet radiation causes short-term (solar erythema, immunological changes) and long-term (photobleaching and photocarcinogenesis) damage that weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of excessive exposure to the sun without photoprotection, the most serious consequence being melanoma. The need to protect the skin from sun exposure is an important health problem. It is essential to acquire basic photoprotection habits such as avoiding the midday sun, using shades, clothes, sunglasses and photoprotectors suitable for each skin phototype, taking special care in the case of children, as the effect of the sun "accumulates" and has a memory, so that the skin "remembers" all the radiation it has received since childhood. One of the main risk factors for skin cancer in adulthood is having suffered repeated sunburn or sunstroke in childhood and adolescence. Experts point out that with adequate photoprotection the risk of skin damage can be reduced by 70%, and clinical studies conclude that using a factor 15 sunscreen during the first 18 years of life can reduce the risk of skin cancer by up to 80%.
Interesting links.
30th Anniversary of Montreal Protocol and International Ozone Day 2017
Día Internacional da Preservación da Capa de Ozono: 16 de setembro / Nacións Unidas
Secretaría do Ozono / Programa das Nacións Unidas para o Medio Ambiente
Ozone Awards 2017 / Secretaría do Ozono
Acción polo Clima / Comisión europea
Ozono (O3) / Meteogalicia
Normativa relativa a substancias esgotadoras da capa de ozono (SAO) / Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente
Fondo multilateral para a aplicación do Protocolo de Montreal
Unidade de Acción polo Ozono da División de Tecnoloxía, Industria e Economía / PNUMA
Ozono / PNUMA
Pack educativo AcciónOzono / UNESCO
Outstanding news.
Treaties and legislation for the protection of the ozone layer.
Treaties:
Convenio de Viena para a Protección da Capa de Ozono (1985).
Protocolo de Montreal relativo ás substancias que esgotan a capa de ozono (1987).
International legislation:
Regulamento (CE) 1005/2009 do Parlamento Europeo e do Consello, sobre as substancias que esgotan a capa de ozono.
Directiva 2008/50/CE do Parlamento Europeo e do Consello de 21 de maio de 2008 relativa á calidade do aire ambiental e a unha atmosfera máis limpa en Europa.
Decisión de execución da Comisión Europea de 11 de decembro do 2014 pola que determínanse os límites cuantitativos e asígnanse cuotas de substancias reguladas de conformidade co Regulamento (CE) 1005/2009 para o período comprendido entre o 1 de xaneiro e o 31 de decembro de 2015.
Regulamento (CE) 842/2006, de 17 de maio, sobre determinados gases fluorados de efecto invernadeiro.
Regulamento (UE) 2017/605 da Comisión de 29 de marzo de 2017 polo que modifícase o anexo VI do Regulamento (CE) 1005/2009 do Parlamento Europeo e do Consello sobre as substancias que esgotan a capa de ozono.
National legislation:
Lei 34/2007, de 15 de novembro, de calidade do aire e protección da atmosfera.
Real Decreto 795/2010, de 16 de xuño, polo que regúlase a comercialización e manipulación de gases fluorados e equipos baseados nos mesmos, así como a certificación dos profesionais que os utilizan.
Real Decreto 100/2011, de 28 de xaneiro, polo que actualíizase o catálogo de actividades potencialmente contaminadoras da atmosfera e establécense as disposicións básicas para a súa aplicación.
Real Decreto 102/2011, de 28 de xaneiro, relativo á mellora da calidade do aire.
Autonomic legislation:
Lei 8/2002, de 18 de decembro, de protección do ambiente atmosférico de Galicia.
Decreto 133/2008, polo que regúlase a avaliación da incidencia ambiental.
Lei 12/1995, do imposto sobre contaminación atmosférica.
Decreto 29/2000, de 20 de xaneiro, polo que apróbase o Regulamento do imposto sobre a contaminación atmosférica.
Orden de 30 de xullo de 2009 pola que desenvólvese o Regulamento do imposto sobre a contaminación atmosférica.
Decreto 10/2009, polo que apróbanse determinadas modificacións en materia de taxas e prezos do imposto de contaminación atmosférica e en materia económico-administrativa.
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