A health effect associated with decreased stratospheric ozone is

A health effect associated with decreased stratospheric ozone is

• A. Significant increases in skin cancer have already occurred
• B. Decreased ultraviolet exposure
• C. No health effects
• D. Improved vitamin D synthesis

Answer: (A)

Decreased stratospheric ozone allows more UV-B radiation to reach Earth's surface. UV-B damages DNA in skin cells and raises the risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. While a little UV exposure is needed to make vitamin D, the health impact of ozone loss is dominated by higher cancer risk, not a beneficial change; the idea of decreased UV exposure is incorrect because ozone loss increases UV reaching the surface, and there are indeed health effects beyond just conceptual notes—cancer risk being the prominent one.

Decreased stratospheric ozone allows more UV-B radiation to reach Earth's surface. UV-B damages DNA in skin cells and raises the risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. While a little UV exposure is needed to make vitamin D, the health impact of ozone loss is dominated by higher cancer risk, not a beneficial change; the idea of decreased UV exposure is incorrect because ozone loss increases UV reaching the surface, and there are indeed health effects beyond just conceptual notes—cancer risk being the prominent one.