Ultraviolet Radiation and Ozone Sterilization

Stratospheric ozone depletion, ultraviolet radiation and health

To our forebears the sky was the realm of the gods, inaccessible to mere humans. Only 100 years ago, the few scientists studying environmental problems would have been incredulous at suggestions that, by the late twentieth century, humankind would have begun to change the composition and function of the stratosphere. Yet this has happened. After 8000 generations of Homo sapiens, this generation...

Environment and health: 3. Ozone depletion and ultraviolet radiation.

The Bystander Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation and Mediators

A bystander effect is biological changes in non-irradiated cells by transmitted signals from irradiated bystander cells, which causes the radiation toxic effects on the adjacent non-irradiated tissues. This phenomenon occurs by agents such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and chemotherapy. The bystander effect includes biological processes such as damage to DNA, cell death, ch...

Solar and Ultraviolet Radiation

Terrestrial life is dependent on radiant energy from the sun. Solar radiation is largely optical radiation [radiant energy within a broad region of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes ultraviolet (UV), visible (light) and infrared radiation], although both shorter wavelength (ionizing) and longer wavelength (microwaves and radiofrequency) radiation is present. The wavelength of UV radiat...

Ultraviolet radiation and cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria are the dominant photosynthetic prokaryotes from an ecological, economical, or evolutionary perspective, and depend on solar energy to conduct their normal life processes. However, the marked increase in solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) caused by the continuous depletion of the stratospheric ozone shield has fueled serious concerns about the ecological consequences for all living...