Health risks

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Dermatology

Background:

• Ozone depletion leads to increased environmental ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation.
• This increase poses significant health risks, primarily affecting the eyes, immune system, and skin.
• The use of alternatives to ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) may introduce novel health concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the health risks associated with ozone depletion, focusing on UV-B radiation effects.
• To review current knowledge on ocular damage, immunosuppression, and skin carcinogenesis linked to UV-B exposure.
• To briefly discuss the potential risks of ODS alternatives.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing scientific data on UV-B radiation effects.
• Analysis of quantitative risk estimates for UV-B-associated health outcomes.
• Evaluation of toxicity data for ODS alternatives.

Main Results:

• UV-B exposure causes acute effects like photokeratitis and chronic conditions including cataract, skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma), and pterygium/pinguecula.
• UV-B exposure can suppress both local and systemic immune responses, potentially worsening infectious diseases and cancers.
• While many ODS alternatives show low acute and moderate chronic toxicity, some raise concerns, necessitating careful handling.

Conclusions:

• Ozone depletion presents substantial risks to human health through increased UV-B radiation, impacting vision, immunity, and skin.
• Further research is needed to quantify risks of immunosuppression and ODS alternatives.
• Quantitative risk estimates suggest a peak in cataract and skin cancer incidence mid-century due to ozone depletion.