Ask A Scientist© Environmental Science Archive

Author:     khopkins
Text:       In the region of 30-32N latitude and 92-96W longitude, does the 
column ozone appear to be thinning in late June and early July? If so, should 
this be cause for alarm? Please explain.

Response #: 1 of 1
Author:     Don Libby
Text:       Northern hemisphere ozone is a bit thinner than usual this year 
(1993), presumably because of sulfur droplets ejected into the upper 
atmosphere by Mt. Pinatubo eruption. As usual, I am wearing abroad brimmed hat 
and using a sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more to 
prevent skin cancer. That is a good idea regardless of how thin the ozone may 
be, but thinner ozone screens less ultraviolet light, thus making it easier to 
damage skin cells with sunburn and tanning.