Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification

What is a significant environmental risk associated with the depletion of the ozone layer?

1. Increase in skin cancers

2. Enhanced growth of invasive species

3. Reduction of atmospheric pressure

4. Decrease in plant photosynthesis

The correct answer is: Increase in skin cancers

The depletion of the ozone layer significantly contributes to an increase in skin cancers due to the protective role the ozone layer plays in blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The ozone layer absorbs a significant portion of the sun's UV-B radiation. When this layer is compromised, more UV radiation reaches the Earth's surface, leading to heightened exposure for living organisms, particularly humans. Increased UV exposure is associated with a higher risk of skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma types. In contrast, while enhanced growth of invasive species, reduction of atmospheric pressure, and decrease in plant photosynthesis are concerns in their own right, they are not primarily linked to the ozone layer's depletion in the way that increased skin cancers are. Enhanced growth of invasive species may be more influenced by changes in climate and habitat disruption, atmospheric pressure reduction is more related to weather patterns and altitudinal changes rather than ozone levels, and photosynthesis is affected by numerous factors including light availability, CO2 levels, and overall plant health, but not directly by ozone layer depletion. Therefore, the clear connection between ozone layer depletion and skin cancer risk underscores why this answer is significant regarding environmental health.