Arctic ozone layer hole is 'growing at record rate', increasing risk of exposure to UV rays - 6th Apr 2011

The ozone layer, which shields us from the sun’s harmful rays, has undergone record depletion over the Arctic, experts have warned.

They blame the combination of a long, cold winter and lingering CFCs in the atmosphere for the 40 per cent plunge.

Although levels of ozone at the Poles do vary seasonally, the record loss has caused alarm because it allows more harmful UV light to reach the Earth’s surface, raising the odds of sunburn, skin cancer and eye damage.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) revealed today that ozone column loss had reached 40 per cent this spring.

A spokesperson for the WMO said: 'Depletion of the ozone... has reached an unprecedented level over the Arctic this spring because of the continuing presence of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere and a very cold winter in the stratosphere. Read More