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Ozone - Cancer of the Sky

1993 50m Television
  • Documentary
  • Nature

During the 1980s, the world became aware of serious ozone depletion in the stratosphere, the result of decades of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) use in whiteware and aerosol products. This documentary follows international scientists who converge in Antarctica each spring to monitor the fluctuating 'ozone hole' above the continent. New Zealand researchers warn not only of ecological damage, but also an increased risk of skin cancer, as Aotearoa sits under the ozone hole in spring and summer, allowing for dangerous UV exposure. Representatives from 43 nations signed the Montreal Protocol to phase out the use of CFCs in 1987.