The ozone layer is depleting, which means the earth's surface will be exposed to more UV radiation. Canadian scientists claim they have discovered an ozone hole in the lower stratosphere over the tropics that persists all year.

In terms of depth, it is comparable to that of the springtime hole in Antarctica, but it is seven times larger. Qing-Bin Lu, a scientist from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, announced the discovery.

The tropics, including India, take up half the earth's surface and are home to half the world's population. The loss of the ozone layer will negatively impact living conditions. His peers in the scientific community were surprised by the discovery since it was not based on the conventional model.

The model used was the cosmic-ray-driven electron reaction (CRE). At the center of the hole, 80 percent of the normal ozone value has been depleted. By absorbing ultraviolet rays from the sun, the ozone layer protects us from harm.

Scientists claimed that industrial chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons, depleted the ozone layer around the world in the 1970s. Another group of scientists discovered the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985.

Most countries banned the substances, leading to an improvement in ozone levels, but the hole persists. 

Scientists say ozone holes play a crucial role in regulating stratospheric temperatures. Scientists will be better able to understand climate change with this discovery. 

How does ozone depletion affect people's health? 

If the ozone layer were to deplete, more UV radiation would reach the earth's surface. UV radiation can cause skin cancers and cataracts.

Moreover, it can harm the immune systems of humans, as well as disturb sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

It can also harm crops. 'The present discovery needs further study of ozone depletion, UV radiation change, increased cancer risks, and other negative consequences for tropical ecosystems,' says Lu.