Over the years, scientists have discovered the main function of the ozone layer. They discovered that the ozone layer naturally protects the Earth from ultraviolet rays, which in large quantities can be harmful. When organisms are exposed to large amounts of ultraviolet radiation, this exposure can lead to DNA mutations that can cause damage to the body and even skin cancer in humans (NOAA News). Although stratospheric ozone absorbs most forms of ultraviolet radiation, about half of UV-a radiation can pass through, and this type of radiation is the one that causes sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage ( Ozone Watch). The graph below shows how most ultraviolet radiation is absorbed in the stratosphere, but about half of UV-a radiation is able to reach the Earth's surface (Ozone Watch). Over the past century, various human activities have led to a decrease in the effectiveness of the ozone layer. decrease. It has been proven that the release of chlorofluorocarbons by different daily activities causes a decrease in the thickness of the ozone layer, especially above the poles (WUnder). Due to reduced ozone levels, an increased amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation was able to reach the Earth's surface (Ozone Watch). With this increase in ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface in recent decades, scientists have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of cases of malignant skin cancer. In fact, scientists estimate that for every 1% decrease in ozone levels, there will be a 2-3% increase in the number of people suffering from certain skin cancers (Beyond Discovery). Another problem that has emerged over the last century is the complex link between global warming and the ozone hole...... middle of paper ...... Properties and behavior. " General chemistry: atoms first / John E. McMurry, Cornell University, Robert C. Fay, Cornell University. Second ed. Boston: Pearson, 2014. 343-344. Print. « NOAA, NASA: the second smallest ozone hole in 20 years » second smallest in 20 years Np, nd Web November 20, 2013. "Ozone hole shrinks to record level". ozone layer." Scientific American June 1991: n. p. Toon_Turco91_ozone. Web. November 20, 2013. "What is ozone?" Ozone Hole Watch: Facts about ozone. Np, nd Web. November 20. 2013. .