OZONE DEPLETION AND SKIN-CANCER INCIDENCE - A SOURCE RISK APPROACH

The atmospheric ozone layer serves as a protective filter against (par t of) the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The depleti on of the ozone layer, which was observed on a global scale over the p ast decades, is most probably caused by the global emission of halocar bons, and leads to an increase in UV at groundlevel, and thus, to incr eases in UV-related risks, like skin cancer incidence. Using satellite data on ozone depletion, a location specific estimate of changes in U V-levels is made for Europe. A source-risk model is used to illustrate effects of countermeasures on future skin cancer risks. Geographical differences and uncertainties are indicated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.