Ozone and the harmful effects of the sun's unfiltered rays

Metro-Dade County's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program

Let the sunshine in?

It's no secret that one of the most popular attractions in South Florida is our sunshine. Tourists come to bask in it. Photographers and fashion models come to shoot pictures in it, and our lush tropical vegetation thrives on it. But one thing that many people don't realize is that the sun's rays have become more and more harmful in recent years because the Earth is losing its protective layer of ozone. Without it, the harmful effects of the sun is unfiltered rays may soon cause health problems for most living things on our planet.

What Is ozone?

There are two places in the earth's atmosphere where ozone is commonly found. Near the surface of the earth, ozone is created by both natural and human sources. The most significant source of ozone at lower levels is the burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and coal. Exposure to this type of ozone can be damaging to your health and should be avoided.

In the Earth's upper atmosphere, however, ozone is a naturally occurring gas. A layer of ozone is suspended in the stratosphere where it serves as a filter to screen out the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. This ozone layer is beneficial to the survival of life on our planet.

Unfortunately, radiation scientists have determined in recent years that this protective layer is thinning. Without this shield, the sun's most harmful ultraviolet rays will reach the earth with an intensity that can not be tolerated by most living things.

This could lead to an increase in skin cancer, eye cataracts, crop damage, and changes in climate among other dangers.

Who is stealing the ozone?

We are all the culprits when it comes to damaging the Earth's ozone layer. Scientists believe that common man-made chemicals used by all of us are causing the ozone layer to thin.

These chemicals are known as ODC's (Ozone Depleting Compounds). Among the most common of these are CFC's (chlorofluorocarbons) which can be found in virtually all air conditioners and refrigerators.

Other common places to find ODC's are in sterilizing agents, aerosol sprays, and fire extinguishers. Many manufacturing processes for foam padding, insulation and other foam products utilize ODC's. Also, some cleaning agents for electronic equipment contain ODC's. Any time these chemicals leak out of their containers into the atmosphere, they can pose a threat to the earth's protective ozone layer.

How can we save the ozone?

A worldwide effort is now under way to protect the ozone. In 1987 the U.S. joined other industrialized countries in an agreement known as the "Montreal Protocol." Nations who signed the agreement promised to hold CFC production at the 1986 level and gradually reduce production to 50% by 1998. Soon after the agreement was signed, new evidence showed that the ozone layer's depletion was rapidly increasing. The agreement was amended to accelerate reduction of CFC's and completely phaseout all CFC production by January 1, 1996. In the meantime, new laws are making it more and more difficult to obtain CFC's, and manufacturers are finding other chemicals that will serve the same purpose without damaging the environment.

What Is Metro-Dade doing?

Metro-Dade County was a leader in the U.S. in adopting strict laws concerning the use of ODC's. Metro-Dade's Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) has instituted a regulatory and permitting program to monitor the use of ODC's. Under this program, any person or establishment that does not comply with local ODC regulations will be subject to enforcement action which could include fines and revocation of permits.

You can help reduce ozone depletion

We can all help to protect the ozone layer by following these suggestions:

1. Choose ozone safe products which do not contain ODC's.

2. Use air conditioners sparingly. (use fans and open windows whenever possible.)

3. Buy halon-free fire extinguishers.

4. Buy clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned.

5. Walk, ride a bike or take public transportation to reduce auto air conditioning usage.

6. Choose produces with less packaging.

Unfortunately, it may be years before our efforts to reduce ODC's will actually begin to show a noticeable benefit to the ozone layer, but future generations will be thankful for the efforts we make now to protect it.

For more detailed information about this subject, contact DERM's Air Section at (305) 372-6925.

Or write to DERM, 33 SW 2nd Avenue, Miami FL 33130-1540.

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