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Ozone's effect on signalling in animals may therefor become more significant than its direct affect as an antibiotic at higher concentrations. [8] Developments of techniques capable of more accurately monitoring ozone levels inside cells will enable investigation of endogenous ozone in cells, perhaps clarifying how cells use endogenous ozone. [9]
Ozone depletion is not a primary cause of climate change, however there exists a physical science connection between the two phenomena. The Earth's atmospheric ozone has two major effects on the Earth's temperature balance. Firstly, it absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation, leading to the heating of the stratosphere.
Reaction with daylight ultraviolet (UV) rays and these precursors create ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone is known to have the following health effects at concentrations common in urban air: Irritation of the respiratory system, causing coughing, throat irritation, and/or an uncomfortable sensation in the chest.
Ground-level ozone, or tropospheric ozone, is the most concerning type of ozone pollution in urban areas and is increasing in general. [60] Ozone pollution in urban areas affects denser populations, and is worsened by high populations of vehicles, which emit pollutants NO 2 and VOCs , the main contributors to problematic ozone levels. [ 61 ]
The effects of climate change on human health are profound because they increase heat-related illnesses and deaths, respiratory diseases, and the spread of infectious diseases. There is widespread agreement among researchers, health professionals and organizations that climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.
Conversely, ozone depletion represents a radiative forcing of the climate system. There are two opposing effects: Reduced ozone causes the stratosphere to absorb less solar radiation, thus cooling the stratosphere while warming the troposphere; the resulting colder stratosphere emits less long-wave radiation downward, thus cooling the troposphere.
Schematic drawing, causes and effects of air pollution: (1) greenhouse effect, (2) particulate contamination, (3) increased UV radiation, (4) acid rain, (5) increased ground-level ozone concentration, (6) increased levels of nitrogen oxides. An air pollutant is a material in the air that can have many effects on humans and the ecosystem. [61]
Human impact on the environment. From top left, clockwise: satellite image of Southeast Asian haze; IAEA experts investigate the Fukushima disaster; a seabird during an oil spill; depiction of deforestation of Brazil's Atlantic forest by Portuguese settlers, c. 1820 –25; acid mine drainage in the Rio Tinto; industrial fishing in 1997, a practice that has led to overfishing.