ABSTRACT
The ozone layer deteriorates when the emissions of chlorine compounds, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are chemically altered in the stratosphere [15, ch. 5].2 As the ozone layer deteriorates, more ultra-violet (UV) radiation filters through to the lower atmosphere, possibly affecting human health, plant and aquatic life, air quality, and world hydrology. Of particular concern here is the possibility that the emissions of (CFCs) and other known ozone depleters will increase over the next century, causing substantial (up to 50%) depletion in the ozone layer [15, Chaps. 5 and 8]. As a result of the ozone layer depletion, UV radiation will increase and the United States population could experience large increases in the rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). While there are certainly other potential consequences of a depleting ozone layer, on both relative and absolute scales NMSC is the most important known effect of ozone depletion [16].
