---------------------------------------------------------- Permission is granted for
below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and
byline, copyright, and
resource box below is included. ----------------------------------------------------------Stay Out of
Sun!
By Stephen Bucaro
Scientists believe life on earth started in
sea. That's because before
appearance of
ozone layer,
surface of
earth was bathed in life destroying ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone is a form of oxygen. Whereas, a normal oxygen molecule consists of two oxygen atoms bound together, ozone is three oxygen atoms bound together. Ozone is much less common than normal oxygen. Out of two million oxygen molecules, only three are ozone. Ozone in
stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation, making it safe for life on
surface of
earth.
Ozone molecules in
stratosphere are constantly forming and breaking up. Industrial development has caused
release of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs in
stratosphere act as a catalyst, breaking down ozone molecules. CFC molecules are extremely stable. One CFC molecule can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules.
CFCs are causing ozone to be destroyed faster than it is created. This has caused
ozone layer to become thinner. In fact, a hole in
ozone layer has opened up over Antarctica. In 2000,
ozone hole measured 32.9 million square kilometers and extended over populated areas of Australia.
Exposure to
ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can result in a skin cancer called "melanoma". According to
American cancer Society, each year more than a million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. Melanoma is a highly invasive form of cancer. Even after treatment, a melanoma can metastasize. Once a melanoma has metastasized, it rarely responds to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The life expectancy of an individual with metastasized melanoma is only a few months, and over 10,000 people die of skin cancer each year.
Many people like to take off their clothes and lay out in
sun for hours, thinking sunscreen lotion will protect them. They follow
recommendation of using a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. However, sweat will cause
sunscreen to wash off and become blotchy, allowing exposure to ultraviolet radiation.