WHY THE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

Ozone is a curious gas. At ground level it is a major air pollutant th at poses a serious health risk to people with asthma, inflaming airway s and reducing the ability of the lungs to function efficiently. But o zone is also found at higher levels in the atmosphere, where it is not viewed as a pollutant. On the contrary, the band of ozone called the 'ozone layer' lying in the stratosphere about 15-30 km above the earth 's surface is the protector of life on earth, shielding us from the su n's damaging rays. Scientists have established a link between the dest ruction of the ozone layer and CFCs, the chemical compounds used as pr opellants in MDIs. In the quest to replace CFCs, the replacement compo unds should not themselves cause environmental problems.