Source:http://kennuncorked.com/sustainable_history.html
In 1984, the scientists who studied the changes in ozone
levels thought that their used instruments committed some error, because that
year their instruments indicated that the ozone level above Antarctic dropped
35% from the 1960’s average level of ozone (Whelch, 2014).Such discovery
stunned the world because that indicated that ozone layer is rapidly depleting -a
dire phenomenon to behold. Due to that, vast institutions around the globe tried
to combat the promising widening of the discovered ozone hole or global cavity.
Though the ozone hole resides above Antarctic, global mobilization became
necessary for global cavity undeniably affects everything on Earth. Fortunately,
the scientists found the depleting ozone at the right time. In fact, just this
year (2014), an article of British Antarctic
Survey Ozone Bulletin reported that, the ozone hole is now gradually
recovering. Despite that fact, people around the globe ought to be informed on
why ozone hole is undesirable in the very first place.
Cavity for humans is a dental disease that is often not
taken seriously when it just started, maybe because it is unnoticed. Cavity
starts when a person does not properly take good care of his teeth. When the
cavity starts it may be unnoticed, worse noticed but did not pound an alarm that that cavity may lead to
total deterioration of oral health and overall well-being of a person. Like a
cavity the hole on our ozone emerged because people are not hygienic. Dental
cavity and ozone hole are actually similar. If candy is the famous food that is
associated with dental cavity, chlorofluorocarbon(CFC) is for the hole of ozone
layer. Candies give pleasure to consumers taste buds, CFC gives satisfaction
and sense of efficiency to the people who adhere in using products that
contains it. Wilson(1989) stated that freezer, air conditioner, spray foam
sealant, aerosol propellant and foam cushions are just the few examples of
products that contain CFC. Like a cavity, ozone hole needs attention and proper
treatment as early as possible. If humanity will fail in rescuing the ozone
hole or global cavity it will widen and when it widens it simply indicates that
treating it will be hopeless for it’s too late.
Famous terms that emerge whenever the talks revolve around
ozone hole include the term UV radiation. When people hear this term they think
about something grim. Usually, this term is associated with dire phenomena presented
by British Columbia (2014): ecological disturbance, agricultural problems,
product degradation, animal diseases and human diseases. Homo sapiens, judged
as the species who scattered seeds (mainly CFCs) that borne ozone depletion
will naturally be responsible to reap what they had planted. When Earth’s
shield against harmful UVs is badly destructed, global cavity will serve as a
threat to human health because increase of UV radiation in Earth’s surface will
absolutely lead to various diseases including basal and squamous cell
carcinomas , malignant melanoma, cortical cataract and blindness (United States
Environmental Protection Agency, 2014).
However,
before trying to know more about the diseases that humans can adversely receive
from harsh kisses of the Sun, which refer to UV rays, it is important to know
that ozone hole does not refer to a literal hole. According to Newman( 2009) the
said term simply refers to the thinning or decreasing ozone(O3) levels, or
simply indicates that no sensible hole in ozone layer exists. In his article, he noted NASA’s statement that indicates that an ozone column
is regarded as thin, when its Dobson Unit (DU is the unit for ozone level) is
below 220.
When DU goes below 220, UV rays penetration will become more intense and frequent, because the layer that shields Earth from it is thinning. According to American Cancer Society (ACS 2013), UV radiation has three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA causes skin cells’ aging and can disrupt DNA. UVB straightly wrecks DNA, and often catalyzes sunburn. On the other hand, ACS also stated that UVC cannot penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere, so it cannot be blamed yet for occurrence of any sort of skin cancer. Therefore, only the Sun’s two types of kisses, UVA and UVB, will spontaneously shower the Earth and everything in it, as long as the ozone hole exists and gives way to the harsh UVs.
Intrinsically, Mother Earth doesn’t have such feature, and most likely didn’t aspire to have a UV kiss from the Sun. Earth has been contented carrying her babies, the humans, even though she receives nothing in return but degradation, as if she doesn’t have any worth at all. However, humanity itself suffers from the harsh kisses of the Sun, whether individuals in it like it or not. Human-made lips of Mother Earth serves as a very permeable mouth always open to intense and frequent invasion of UVs. Definitely, no mother will ever want to have someone kiss her harshly, especially if these adversely affect her siblings. However, Mother Earth basically, has been feeling helplessly degraded for centuries by the kisses of the Sun. If her cavity cannot be filled, and worse widened, the cavity will furthermore rot that will eventually affect everything. For instance, when a tooth of a person has a cavity and that cavity is left untreated, that cavity will get deeper into the roots of the tooth, it will rot. When a tooth rots the person will experience a terrible toothache and he will not be feeling well and at the end of the day his performance will be adversely affected. Just like the cavity of our Earth, once left untreated decay of existing living things will follow. The world doesn’t have to feel surprised when the list of UV related diseases will be miles long and prevalent in the future. Nowadays, the growing awareness about the growth of people who suffer diseases associated with the ozone depletion serves as an indication that the harassment that the world receives from the Sun must be halted.
Source:http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/basal_cell_carcinoma_nose_picture/picture.htm
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the foremost must-talked disease caused by UV raysfor it is the “frequently occurring form of all cancers” as stated by Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF 2014).SCF described BCC as “abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells….”
Basal cell is a cell forming in the bottom part of the epidermis –the outer layer of skin. According to SCF the usual victims of this cancer are those people who have light skins, have blonde or red hairs, and have gray, green, or blue irises. This happening can be explained by the low count of melanin in white people, they added. Melanin is abundant in people who have dark complexions, dark hairs, and brown or black irises. This component protects the skin from the Sun, that’s why people who have naturally darker features are less prone to Sun’s damages compared to those who have biologically lighter features.
SCF furthermore added that there are 2.8 million people in US (only) who acquire BCC per year, and this just clearly indicates that this case occurs intensively frequent and older strata of the society, especially men are more prone to BCC. Their explaination is that that is due to the fact that, men are more involved in jobs that are exposed in the Sun’s UV rays. SFC also characterized BCC as “open sores, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars.” These occur on parts of the body that are often exposed to sunlight, e.g. ears, face, neck, shoulders, etc, as asserted by SFC. Once a person had this on a certain part of his body, they proclaimed that there’s a possibility that the other parts of his body will be disfigured because of it. However if BCC presence is discovered and treated early, the spread will be suppressed, a fact presented by the foundation that gives hope for health conscious people.
BCC is life changing, for the worse.Judy Fraser(2009), a television weather forecaster for WCAI-TV, expressed how BCC transformed her into a fearful person from a carefree one. Since she got this skin cancer going outside became a frightful experience. Her hobbies before like biking, gardening and playing golf are suppressed. The only things that make her a bit confident to go outside are the usage of sunscreen with SPF 30 or 45 plus a hat –a garment that she thinks that doesn’t suit her. She have no choice.
Source:http://lungcancer.about.com/od/typesoflungcancer/a/Squamous-Cell-Carcinoma-Of-The-Lungs.htm
Secondly, another skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma or SCC also prevails, as reported by American Academy of Dermatology (AAD 2014). SCC is defined by Skin Cancer Foundation as “uncontrolled growth of abnormal cell arising in the squamous cells….” Squamous cell is a cell that comprises most of skin’s epidermis. AAD showed that the usual people who acquire this disease are those who have light complexions, blonde or red hairs, and gray, green or blue irises. Again people who have the said features are disadvantaged because of the low level of melanin, a component that essentially protects the skin, hair and eyes against UVs.
There are about 700 000 people who are being hit by SCC in US annually, as proclaimed by AAD and SCF. Just like in the case of BCC, patients who are diagnosed having SCC, are majorly older men usually in their 70s. Again, the difference in working condition of men is associated with their higher risk compared to women. SCF also stated that SCC’s visible indications are “scaly red patches, open sores, …warts; may crust or bleed.” They furthermore warned that this may occur in every part of the body including the mucous membranes and genitals, but most commonly emerge in areas that are often exposed to Sun’s UV rays. SFC asserted that this skin cancer can be inherited and those people who basically have BCC will possibly have SCC in their list of body problems.
Source:http://www.science20.com/truth_universally_acknowledged/personalized_cancer_therapy_metastatic_melanoma_actual_breakthrough
The third point is the case of malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma is another skin cancer. According to PDR health Physicians’ Desk Reference(2014)this occurs when the melanocytes(cells that contain melanin) becomes disordered. In this case the supposed to be protector of the skin turned into its enemy and this undesirable transformation of melanocytes pinpoints UV radiation as catalyst. As usual, the favorite victims of this cancer presented by PDR are those who don’t have dark features.
PDR stated that malignant melanoma is the 6th most ordinary cancer occurrence in the US. PDR health Physicians’ Desk Reference reported that the number of patients diagnosed with this disease during 1935 was just 1 out of 1500, but in the 2nd millennium there are 1 having malignant melanoma out of 75 individuals who are born. PDR said that this can arise from an individual’s mole or even from the normal skin. This disease features the appearance of “odd-shaped lesions, with irregular shape or color…,”as stated by PDR. They added that lesions grow on the surface of the skin gradually, but will eventually spread throughout the body if treatment is not eagerly applied. They warned that it can even penetrate inner organs such as lymph nodes, and having the bloodstream as a channel it could also pervade in liver, lungs, heart and brain.
Mark Carter (2014), 56 years old,shared his life’s story having experienced malignant melanoma. He stated that he was first diagnosed with malignant melanoma 15.5 years ago after his doctor found out that,after removing the irregularly-shaped mole on the upper side of his left chest that sprouted. Being aware of his condition he constantly had his annual check up. The early results of his exams indicated that the only part of his body affected was his armpit region, unfortunately, in year 2013, tests found that his melanoma is already in stage 4, his lungs were affected by the cancer. He’s currently under his long term treatment, fighting to survive and willing to raise awareness about the danger of sunbeds(used for tanning skin), an equipment that triggers melanoma.
Source:http://englishrowseyecare.com/services/ocular-disease/
Fourth, is the instance of cortical cataract. According to Mayo Clinic (2013), cortical cataract affects the lens. It narrated that in the beginning, a “whitish opacity” emerges on the edge of the lens. It added that, as time passes this whitish substance spreads to the center of the lens, blocking the light. As a result it stated that “ People who have cortical cataracts often experience problems with glare.” Still, individuals who have light-colored irises are more prone to cataract compared to those who have darker eye colors.
Source:http://englishrowseyecare.com/services/ocular-disease/
Lastly, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO, 2013) stated that temporary blindness or photokeratitis is also caused by overexposure to UV rays. They said that the eyes here are “sunburnt.” They regarded individuals who expose their bare eyes in Sun’s malignant radiation for wide range of time plus they have a light-colored eyes are at risk of suffering this so called temporary blindness. Another factor that contributed to the occurrence of photokeratitis was recently found by AAO: low awareness of people about the factors that make people’s eyes vulnerable to sun damage.
AAO wrote that people who suffer photokeratitis feel like
there’s a sand on their eyes. That feeling, according to them, is caused by the
peeling of cornea due to sunburn. They said that that results from years that
the eyes are exposed under the sun without any protection. They warned that
this disease must be treated early because this can lead to tumor and when
tumor emerges “surgical removal” will be necessary.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas, malignant melanoma, cortical cataract, and photokeratitis are just part of the sample of diseases that exposure in UV rays can bring. There are still a lot of diseases that may have been caused by the harsh kisses of the Sun that may have not yet been studied, discovered, or even imagined. Some sort of diseases associated with the global cavity will furthermore emerge if humans will continuously spray the tear gas compound that will kill themselves. Ozone depletion will serve as a catalyst of human death by radiating various diseases unimagined. The ozone hole that emerged if not wholly hauled out of existence will wreck the whole planet.
Still, the status quo of ozone hole, as revealed by British Antarctic Ozone Bulletin (2013), is worth celebrating. Indeed, this was a very good news that may inspire the world to continuously help fight against the elements that deplete the ozone. Based on the press release of United Nations Environmental programme(2014),this garnered effect was attributed by UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner to Montreal Protocol, a treaty that fought and continuously fight against ozone depletion by diminishing if not totally eradicating the production of global cavity’s culprit –chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).
A kiss is only desirable if the receiver feels secured and loved, but the undesirable one results to receiver’s disgust. The Earth and its inhabitants are feeling harassed by Sun’s UVs and will continuously be harassed if the inhabitants will not unceasingly combat the intervention of the harsh kisses. A true inhabitant of planet Earth is the one who cares for her like his/her treasured mother. Whoever who does not care may be an alien whose mission is to wreck humanity. However, he must not be thrown back to outer space, rather, he must be nurtured and transformed in order to act like a real human.
Gradually, environmental problems will be solved. The
successful steps taken by the world headed by Montreal Protocol is an
indication that global cooperation in actions destined to help Mother Earth recover,
live longer and sustain, makes the desired ends not far from reality. Truly, noticing
the presence of a cavity and treating or filling it before it's totally rotten helped. The global cavity is
gradually pushed through recovery before it’s too late. Now that the ozone is
gradually recovering may all the inhabitants of the Earth brush away all the
dire activities that destroys mother Earth and never ever forget to brush and
brush and brush. Maintenance is important to avoid short-lived gratification.
The old humanity may never forget that there’s no denture that can be used when
the global cavity gets worse. The only way to protect the ozone layer and
humanity is through cooperation against CFC candies. Together, humans can make
a change, humans can redress the planet. A renewed planet will be an eternal
legacy for future generations that may hopefully not fail to sustain the bounty
that they might enjoy.
Works Cited:
Antarctic ozone (2014, November 24). British Antarctic
Survey Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met/jds/ozone/index.html
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (2014).Skin Cancer Foundation.
Retrieved from http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma
Carter, M. (2014, May 29). Mark Carters Story. Retrieved from http://www.sunbedban.co.uk/survivors-storieshttp://www.sunbedban.co.uk/survivors-stories
Cataracts (2013, July 30). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/basics/causes/con-20015113
Fraser, J. (2004). How skin cancer changed my life. The Skin Cancer Foundation Journal, Vol. 22.
Retrieved from 2014 http://www.skincancer.org/true-stories/how-skin-cancer-changed-my-life
Health effects of UV radiation (2014, March 16).United
States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/sunwise/health-effects-uv-radiation
Newman, P. (2009, November 18). Ozone facts: What is the ozone hole?. Retrieved from http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/hole.html
Overexposure to Sun’s rays (2013, June 3). American Academy
of Ophthalmology. Retrieved from http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20130603.cfm
Ozone layer on track to recovery:Success story should encourage action on climate (2014, September 10). United Nations Environmental Programme.Retrieved from http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2796&ArticleID=10978
Ozone
Layer on Track to Recovery: Success Story Should Encourage Action on
Climate
- See more at:
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2796&ArticleID=10978#sthash.pBo4REeT.dpuf
Skin cancer: Malignant melanoma (2014). PDR health
Physicians’ Desk Reference. Retrieved from http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/skin-cancer-malignant-melanoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (2014). American Academy of Dermatology. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/squamous-cell-carcinoma
The impacts of ozone depletion(2014). British Columbia.
Retrieved from http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/ozone-depletion-impacts.html
What is ultraviolet (UV) radiation?(2014, February 20). American Cancer Society. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skincancerpreventionandearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-what-is-u-v-radiation
Whelch, C. (2014). Ozone Hole History. Retrieved from
http://www.theozonehole.co /ozoneholehistory.htm
Wilson, A. (1989). CFCs and ozone depletion. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/cfcs-and-ozone-depletion-zmaz89ndzshe.aspx#axzz3KTRzprZH
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