Ozone Layer, Important and Dangerous Simultaneously for Humans

KOMPAS.com – Ozone layer is a very important layer for human life. Uniquely, if inhaled by humans, ozone layer it can be very toxic. Why is that?

What’s that ozone?

The ozone layer is a layer that has a high concentration of ozone or O3 molecules. The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere, or are in the second layer of the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer is specifically located at an altitude of 15 to 35 kilometers.

The function of the ozone layer is to absorb most of the heat and ultraviolet radiation. Earth would not have life if there was no ozone layer, because the Earth’s surface would be exposed to very high ultraviolet radiation.

Why is the ozone layer harmful to humans?

In layers troposphere, ozone is toxic but in the stratosphere is beneficial for life on earth because it is harmful to the lungs. In low concentrations, ozone can trigger coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sore throat.

Everyone may have a different response to the concentration of ozone in the troposphere. Usually people who have a history of respiratory diseases are more prone to having problems when inhaling ozone.

Long-term ozone exposure may be more difficult to cure. The risks include decreased lung function, worsening asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Reported from Environmental Protection Agencythis indicates there is no good or bad ozone. Ozone bad for health and should not be inhaled by humans in the troposphere. Ozone can only be useful to humans if it is in the stratosphere to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

Read also: Stratosphere, the Ozone Layer that Serves to Absorb Ultraviolet Rays

The destruction of the ozone layer

Unfortunately, the ozone layer is depleting and even hollow. The ozone layer in the stratosphere can be damaged by reacting with certain compounds. Compounds that cause ozone holes called ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

Compounds included in ODS among others chlorofuorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofuorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. The main molecules that damage the ozone layer are chlorine and bromine released by ODS.

If chlorine and bromine come into contact with ozone, the two atoms will split the ozone molecule. This will cause damage to the ozone layer, such as ozone depletion and the ozone hole.

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