The ozone layer is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the earth. It acts as a sunscreen for the earth, blocking out most of the sun's UV radiation. Over the last few years, the ozone layer has become slightly thinner, allowing more damaging UV rays to reach the earth's surface than before.

Have you ever wondered what the best medication is for asthma? It may not be the one that you're currently taking.

Ozone is very rare in our atmosphere, averaging about three molecules of ozone for every 10 million air molecules. In spite of this small amount, ozone plays vital roles in the atmosphere. This document provides answers to some of the questions that are most frequently asked about ozone and the changes that have been occurring in recent years.

Industrial halocarbons are effective ozone-depleters for two reasons. The first is that they are not reactive, which means they survive long enough in the atmosphere to drift up into the stratosphere. The second is that they help the natural reactions that destroy ozone. Unlike most chemicals released into the atmosphere at the Earth's surface, industrial halocarbons are not "washed" back to Earth by rain or destroyed in reactions with other chemicals.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, none! 'Good' and 'bad' ozone exist (like good and bad cholesterol) but neither plays any part in global warming. The 'good' ozone is to be found 15 km above our heads in the famous ozone layer. This layer is permanent and protects us from harmful ultra violet rays emanating from the sun. The hole in the ozone is produced by chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), chloride gases which up until 1987 were used in aerosol cans and refrigerating systems.

Ozone-depleting substances are effective ozone-depleters for two reasons. The first is that they are not reactive (chemically speaking), which means they survive long enough in the atmosphere to drift up into the stratosphere. The second is that they help the natural reactions that destroy ozone. Unlike most chemicals released into the atmosphere at the Earth's surface, ozone-depleting substances are not "washed" back to Earth by rain or destroyed in reactions with other chemicals.

From 1st January 2004, there have been more stringent processes for declaring Asthma medications. Brown preventers (corticosteroids) as well as Blue relievers (beta-2 agonists) all require an Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption form to be lodged before an athlete is tested.

One possibility is that you are sensitive to aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, naprosyn). This is a serious asthma trigger and you should completely avoid all of these medications. Your doctor should also see you so he can evaluate this problem. Tylenol, or acetominophen, is safe to use for treatment of pain and/or fever.

No. Epicare will only remove the hair directly from the roots and will not tear/damage or remove a layer of skin unlike waxing, bleaches or depilatory creams.

Ozone's unique physical properties allow the ozone layer to act as our planet's sunscreen, providing an invisible filter to help protect all life forms from the sun's damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most incoming UV radiation is absorbed by ozone and prevented from reaching the Earth's surface. Without the protective effect of ozone, life on Earth would not have evolved the way it has.

Global ozone levels declined an average of about 3 per cent between 1979 and 1991. This rate of decline is about three times faster than that recorded in the 1970's. In addition to Antarctica, ozone depletion now affects almost all of North America, Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and a sizable part of South America. Short term losses of ozone can be much greater than the long term average. In Canada, ozone depletion is usually greatest in the late winter and early spring.

The depletion of the ozone layer leads, on the average, to an increase in ground-level ultraviolet radiation, because ozone is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation. The Sun emits radiation over a wide range of energies, with about 2% in the form of high-energy, ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Some of this UV radiation (UV-B) is especially effective in causing damage to living beings, for example, sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage to humans.

High up in the atmosphere, in a region called the stratosphere between 19 and 30 km above the Earth's surface, ozone is constantly being produced and destroyed naturally. This ozone layer filters out UV rays from the Sun and protects life on Earth. Usually there is a fine balance between the build up and loss of ozone.

Yes, significant depletion of the Arctic ozone layer now occurs in some years in the late winter/spring period (January-April). However, the maximum depletion is generally less severe than that observed in the Antarctic and is more variable from year to year. A large and recurrent “ozone hole,” as found in the Antarctic stratosphere, does not occur in the Arctic.

Scientists expect to detect the recovery of the ozone layer with careful comparisons of the latest ozone measurements with past values. Changes in total overhead ozone at various locations and in the extent and severity of the Antarctic “ozone hole” will be important factors in gauging ozone recovery. Natural variations in ozone amounts will limit how soon recovery can be detected with future ozone measurements.

Measuring the ozone at both poles is a 'barometer' of sorts. Though typically the ozone varies in densities and coverage at these areas, it also reflects the overall warming and depletion of the ozone worldwide. Sun shining on the poles is not filtered of harmful ultraviolet radiation due to the increasing lack of ozone.