Ozone Blanket The importance of the ozone layer

Ozone Blanket The importance of the ozone layer Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM

Good ozone • Ozone (O 3) is a relatively unstable molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen (O). Although it represents only a tiny fraction of the atmosphere, it prevents damaging ultraviolet light reaching the Earth's surface. √ Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM √

Bad ozone • Ground level ozone is an air pollutant with harmful effects on lung function. X Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM X

Where is ozone? • • The highest levels of ozone in the atmosphere are in the stratosphere, in a region also known as the ozone layer. Here it filters out the shorter wavelengths (less than 320 nm) of ultraviolet light (270 to 400 nm) from the sun that would be harmful to most forms of life in large doses. Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM

Destruction of ozone • • • Ozone is produced and destroyed naturally. Since the 1970 s, gases produced for commercial purposes have been destroying the ozone layer, upsetting the natural equilibrium that existed. These gases are called Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM

What are CFCs? • CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are used in spray cans, in the plastics industry, as refrigerants and for cleaning electronic circuit boards. Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM

So how can ozone destruction be prevented? • That’s where YOU come in. . . . Launchpad! Going Green CD-ROM