Question

Problems associated with the thinning ozone layer include all of the following except

a. increased incidence of asthma.
b. increased incidence of skin cancer.
c. increased incidence of cataracts.
d. reduction in photosynthetic activity in plants.
e. suppressed immune system.

Answer 1

Asthma is not directly caused by the thinning of the ozone layer but is associated with tropospheric pollution; whereas skin cancer, cataracts, and immune suppression are directly related to increased UV exposure due to ozone depletion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The thinning of the ozone layer is associated with a variety of environmental and health problems; however, the options listed, an increased incidence of asthma is not directly caused by ozone layer depletion. The ozone layer in the stratosphere is crucial for absorbing harmful UV radiation. The depletion of this layer, largely due to man-made substances like CFCs, leads to increased levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.

This UV radiation is known to cause skin cancer, cataracts, and has harmful effects on the immune system and marine ecosystems. In contrast, the incidence of asthma is typically associated with the presence of tropospheric ozone and other pollutants that contribute to smog, which is a separate issue from the stratospheric ozone depletion.