Stratospheric ozone (O3) protects us from harmful ultra-violet radiation of Sun. The short wavelength UV radiations can cause skin cancer and cataract. When UV radiations interact with ozone molecules, the high energy of the radiation is used to break ozone molecule into an oxygen molecule and an oxygen atom.
`O_3 + UV -> O_2 + O`
The produced oxygen gas and oxygen atom again react to form ozone molecules at those high altitudes.
This protective layer is currently under attack by various chemicals we use. It was found few decades ago that commonly used refrigerant such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) react with ozone and destroy it. This leaves this shield weakened and has eventually resulted in ozone hole. The use of many such chemicals has now been banned and we are trying to protect this protective barrier.
Hope this helps.
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