Ozone depletion increases the risk of what health issues?

Ozone depletion increases the risk of what health issues?

• A. Hearing loss
• B. Skin cancer and cataracts
• C. Hair loss
• D. Improved vision

Answer: (B)

Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks most UV-B radiation from the sun. When ozone is depleted, more UV-B reaches the surface. This UV-B exposure can damage skin cell DNA, raising the risk of skin cancers, and it can also damage the eye’s lens, increasing the risk of cataracts. These are the health issues most clearly linked to ozone depletion, so skin cancer and cataracts is the best answer. Hearing loss, hair loss, and improved vision aren’t the effects most associated with increased UV-B exposure from ozone depletion, so they don’t fit as well.

Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks most UV-B radiation from the sun. When ozone is depleted, more UV-B reaches the surface. This UV-B exposure can damage skin cell DNA, raising the risk of skin cancers, and it can also damage the eye’s lens, increasing the risk of cataracts. These are the health issues most clearly linked to ozone depletion, so skin cancer and cataracts is the best answer.

Hearing loss, hair loss, and improved vision aren’t the effects most associated with increased UV-B exposure from ozone depletion, so they don’t fit as well.