UN scientists: Ozone layer no longer disappearing

New York, Sep 21: UN scientists have confirmed that the ozone layer is no longer disappearing and could be back to full strength by the middle of this century.

According to the United Nations report released last week, the phasing out of nearly 100 substances once used in products like refrigerators and aerosols has stopped the ozone layer being depleted further, although it is not yet increasing.

The latest reports also claimed that efforts to protect the ozone layer have averted millions of cases of skin cancer worldwide.

The ozone layer outside the Polar Regions is projected to recover to pre-1980 levels by 2048, although the annual springtime ozone hole over the Antarctic is not expected to recover until 2073.

The report was written and reviewed by 300 scientists and launched on the UN International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

The report has been published jointly by UNEP and the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Ozone in the stratosphere is important because it absorbs some of the Sun"s dangerous ultraviolet radiation.

OneIndia News