Keating+Ozone+and+Skin+Cancer

= The relationship between ozone depletion and skin cancer incidence: =



//Graphic citations:// //[]// //, []//

What is presently known as the “Ozone hole” is more accurately considered a dangerous depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer above Antarctica. (4) This depletion is mainly due to manmade compounds, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were first introduced in the early 1890s and then used in the 1930s as refrigerants and chemical spray products. These products emit chlorine and bromine gases, and once exposed to UV light in the stratosphere they undergo transformations to become extremely reactive and catalyze ozone depletion. Unfortunately the size of the “hole” is dependent on temperature, expanding over the summer and fall months and shrinking in the warmer spring temperatures (which stop the ozone destruction cycle.) (5)

And while the ebb and flow of ozone levels is also attributable to various climate control aspects like marine ecosystems, sea levels, crops, etc., the focus of the following is the correlation between increased UV exposure and skin cancer incidence. It has been reported that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and unfortunately one American dies every hour from skin cancer alone. The most commonly developed cancers from over-exposure to UVA/UVB rays are Melanoma, Non-Melanoma skin cancer, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Some other possible side effects that may develop are actinic keratoses, premature aging, and eye damage. (6)

More specifically, it has been reported that Melanoma incidence rates have increased in the last 30 years, most recently with a rapid increase in white women ages 15-34 (3.8% annual increase since 1995) and white men ages 65 and older (8.5% annual increase since 2003.) (7) Also, 40-50% of Americans who live to the age of 65 years will develop squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma at least once. (3) These statistics, along with other increasing skin cancer incidences, correlate with the rapidly increasing size of the “hole” since 1979; the maximum area was recorded on 24 September 2006 at 27 million square kilometers. (9) Unfortunately, just a 10% decrease in the ozone layer will result in a 25% increase in Non-Melanoma skin cancer rates by 2050. (6)

So with these few facts in mind, it is only natural to want to follow the guidelines established by the Montreal Protocol for ozone and climate protection more strictly, if not only for the Earth’s benefit but for our own physical effects as well. (10) Ways to protect from the physical effects are widely known, such as with sunscreen, clothing coverage, sunglasses, etc. but this cycle of control and sustainability is dependent on our global initiative and cooperation.

1. Slapper, Harry, et al; “Estimates of ozone depletion and skin cancer incidence to examine the Vienna Convention achievements;” //Nature//; vol. 384, p. 256-258; 21 Nov 1996; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 2. Medhaug, I, et al; “UV radiation and skin cancer in Norway;” //Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology//; vol. 96, p. 232-241; 2009; accessed 8 Feb 2010 3. Burker, KE and H Wei; “Synergistic damage by UVA radiation and pollutants;” //Toxicology and Industrial Health//; vol. 25, p. 219-224; 2009; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 4. Global Climate Change: NASA’s Eyes on the Earth; []; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 5. Carlowicz, Michael; “The World We Avoided by Protecting the Ozone Layer;” NASA Earth Observatory; []; 13 May 2009; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 6. “The Ozone Hole;” The Ozone Hole Inc.; []; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 7. “Skin Cancer Facts;” The American Cancer Society; []; Copyright 2010; last revision and medical review 6 July 2009; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 8. “Ozone Depletion;” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; []; last updates 25 Jan 2010; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 9. “Ozone Hole Watch;” NASA; []; last updates 8 Feb 2010; accessed 8 Feb 2010. 10. Velders, Guus J.M, et al; “The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting climate;” //PNAS//; vol. 104, no. 12, p. 4814-4819; 20 March 2007; accessed 8 Feb 2010.
 * //Resources//**: