Increased UV-B Radiation Causes Health Problems

         


Since the 1930’s, the risk of malignant melanoma has increased 800% to 1 in 87 in the US. Below is a quick review of the health effects caused by the depletion of the Ozone layer.

 

 

 


Skin Cancer

          One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer. The numbers are increasing all over the world. Deaths from malignant melanoma have increased 70% in the UK.  Canada has seen an increase of 60% of basal cell carcinoma.

         

          Melanoma

 

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In the United States alone cases of melanoma have increased two fold. With continued depletion of ozone, this number is expected t o increase. Doctors are just starting to find that exposure to the sun early in life could lead to problems much later.

 

          Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

 

Nonmelanoma skin cancers are far less deadly than melanoma, but can still prove to cause serious effects.  According to the EPA, about 2,000 died of nonmelanoma cancer. Two types of nonmelanoma cancers exist, and if treated early, are rarely lethal. Basal Cell Carcinomas is the most common form of skin cancer and characterized by small, fleshy bumps on the head or neck. Squamous Cell Carcinomas is characterized by red, scaly patches anywhere on the body.

         

 

Effects on the Eye

          UV-B radiation has been shown to cause damage to the eye. Eye damage such as cataracts can occur from UV-B radiation. Eye cataracts occur when there is a loss of transparency in the eye lens that obstructs vision. Without the Montreal Protocol, it is estimated that by 2050, over 129 million new cases of cataracts would have occurred. UV-B radiation can also cause other eye damage: pterygium (tissue growth over lens) and degeneration of the macula.

 

 

Immune Suppression

          Studies have shown that increased levels of UV-B radiation could suppress the body’s immune system. Although serious cases of immune suppression would be small in number, the US already spends billions on health care for the common cold and other illnesses. These numbers could increase substantially if the population’s immune system was suppressed.

 

 

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/activities2.html

 

 

 

Sources: http://www.ea.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/index.html, http://www.eia-international.org/Campaigns/Ozone/Reports/ChillingFacts/ozone03.html

 

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