Health & Environmental Change C.S - Skin cancer

Question 1

What is ozone

Answer 1

Ozone is a gas that protects the earth from the Sun’s shortwave ultraviolet radiation (UVR)

Question 2

When did scientists discover ozone depletion

Answer 2

In the 1980s scientists discovered thinning of the ozone layer and holes above Antarctica and the Arctic

Question 3

What causes ozone depletion

Answer 3

-Depletion caused by damage from chlorofluorocarbons such as chlorine, and
halocarbons such as bromine
-Heavy industry, fridges and aerosol sprays were the main sources of these gases

Question 4

What does Increased exposure to UVR do to humans

Answer 4

a health risk and can lead to increased rates of skin cancer

Question 5

What is the link between skin cancer and latitudes

Answer 5

-Higher rates of melanoma skin cancer at higher latitudes
-In 2020 Australia had 37 incidences of skin cancer for every 100,000 population, compared to a global average rate of 3.4 per 100,000
-Skin cancer is the 17th most common cancer worldwide
-Globally, cases of melanoma skin cancer are predicted to rise by 18% between 2018- 2025

Question 6

CFC emissions have been reduced by __% since 196 countries signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987

Answer 6

99

Question 7

Another example of restrictions against CFS

Answer 7

A later ammendment at a summit in Copenhagen in 1992 tightened restrictions further

Question 8

How long will it take for the ozone layer to recover

Answer 8

The layer is recovering but will take another 50 years to fully thicken to original levels

Question 9

Another health risk from increased UVR exposure is ___

Answer 9

cataracts

Question 10

What are the health impacts of cataracts

Answer 10

Cataracts lead to blurred vision caused by the lens of the eye becoming cloudy
Causes blindness in approximately 20 million people worldwide each year

Question 11

The risk of both skin cancer and cataracts can be increased by:

Answer 11

Geographic location, Time of day, Altitude

Question 12

How does Geographic location increase risk

Answer 12

-Tropical areas have higher levels of UVR, although high latitudes can also be high risk due to less ozone protection
-More exposure in open spaces with reflective surfaces such as sand and snow
-Less exposure in urban areas as there is more shade

Question 13

How does time of day increase risk

Answer 13

Higher risk of exposure between 10am-2pm when the sun is most directly overhead

Question 14

How does altitude increase risk

Answer 14

-At higher altitudes less atmosphere is available to absorb UVR
-With every 1000m in altitude, UVR levels increase by approximately 10%