How is increased surface UV-B radiation harmful?
The harmfulness of UV-B stems from the high energy of these light rays, which allows them to penetrate deeply into water, leaves, and skin. Because of this, increased UV-B radiation can harm the metabolism of cells and even damage genetic material. Although living organisms have always been exposed to some UV-B, cellular repair mechanisms evolved to protect against its damaging effects. The problem with increased UV-B is that it causes more damage than the natural protection can cope with. Increased UV-B radiation leads to increased incidence of such problems as skin cancer, eye damage and cataracts, and possible inhibition of immune system function in humans as well as other animals. Plants also suffer under increased UV-B, and their vulnerability could result in reduced crop yields, damage to forest ecosystems, and decreased populations of phytoplankton in the world’s oceans.
