On September 16th 1994 the United Nations declared the “International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer”. It commemorates the same date in 1987 when nations signed the “Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer”. The theme for World Ozone Day 2022 is “Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation protecting life on earth”.
Ozone is a pale blue poisonous gas and a form of oxygen. Its chemical makeup is different from the oxygen we breathe - each molecule contains three oxygen atoms rather than two.
Ozone forms a tiny part of the earth’s atmosphere but has its highest concentration around 20 to 30km above the surface. This ozone layer protects life on earth by absorbing the damaging ultraviolet light from the sun.
Chemicals used in industry can harm the ozone layer therefore the aim of World Ozone Day is to preserve the ozone layer. Consequently, many countries have now limited their use of ozone-damaging chemicals. The Montreal Protocol is a highly successful example of countries working together to protect life on earth by reducing the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
If you want to see how ozone is used, head over to Oriel Science’s Ozone Disinfector Exhibit to see how Chedly Tizaoui a researcher at Swansea University and Biofresh Ltd have used ozone as an ambulance cleaning device!
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