m39.    How does ozone affect life?

A 10% drop in ozone level would produce 300,000 more cases of basal-cell and squamous-cell cancers; 14,000 more malignant melanomas causing 4000 deaths; 1.6 million more cataracts; and suppression of the human immune system. This drop could also lower yields of vital crops such as corn, rice, soybeans, cotton, and peas; and a reduction in the growth of macroscopic phytoplankton. Loss of $2 billon per year from degradation of plastics, paint and other polymers are possible. Some air pollutants may reduce the amounts of UV radiation.

e10.    Why do organisms become extinct?

e14.    What are the basic components of life?

e15.    What was early life like?

e20.    What are environmental hazards and risks?

e21.    What are chemical hazards?

e22.    What do we eat?

g04.    What causes climates to change?

g15.    What are ozone holes and where are they?