$Unique_ID{BRK02050}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Shrinking Ozone Layer and Increasing Risks of Exposure to the Sun}
$Subject{ozone layer cancer skin cancer skin cells stratosphere ultraviolet
radiation UV-A UV-B basal cell carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers
CFC's chlorine fluorine carbon chlorine fluorine carbons bromine aerosol
sprays aerosol spray aerosols cataracts sunblockers sunblocks sunblock
sunbathing suntanning suntan sunburn tanning sunlight}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Skin*0006701.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Shrinking Ozone Layer and Increasing Risks of Exposure to the Sun


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QUESTION:  I have always enjoyed baking on the beach and having a great tan to
show for it.  It has the healthy look I really like.  Now my mother is all
over me about this, and keeps telling me that the ozone layer will give me
cancer.  I don't thinks she completely understands this, but then neither do
I.  Can you cast a little light (perhaps sunlight) on this subject?  I suppose
it is something I need to know.

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ANSWER:  It's not the ozone layer that may cause you to develop skin cancer,
but the lack of it that may pose the danger.  The ozone layer is a part of the
stratosphere, and its function is to filter out some of the sun's harmful
rays.  For some years now, scientists have watched as the thickness of this
layer steadily diminished to the point where, in some places in the world,
harmful ultraviolet radiation is able to reach the surface of the earth.
     There are two types of ultraviolet radiation, UV-A and UV-B.  UV-A is the
type you like for it is responsible for the tan you seek, and the sunburns
that many of the rest of us suffer.  UV-B doesn't give you a tan, but
penetrates deeper into the skin's layers and can cause damage to the cells
which are located there.  And the result of this damage can be basal and
squamous cell skin cancers.
     Chemicals called CFC's (for chlorine, fluorine, carbon and in some
cases, bromine) which are used in air conditioners seem to be the culprit.
When they get into the upper atmosphere they form compounds which can destroy
the ozone layer.  Although they have been banned for use as a propellant in
aerosol spray cans as far back as 1978, production of these chemicals is not
scheduled to halt until the end of this century.
     The number of skin cancers are on the rise, and so are cataracts of the
eye, and many scientists predict that continuing depletion of the ozone layer
may dramatically increase the frequency of these ailments, so that by the year
2000, more than 1.5 million additional cases of cataracts will be diagnosed.
However, life styles also play a role in exposure to the sun, with more older
people spending more time in the sun, and wearing skimpier clothing, short
sleeved shirts and short pants.  Your mother may not have had all the facts
straight, but she is giving you good advice.  Cover up, use strong sun
blockers or stay out of the sun.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.