Once upon a layer ….
The ozone layer is a layer of ozone gas which surrounds the earth. Starting around 15 kms above the earth and extending to about 35 kms, its thickness varies seasonally and geographically. However, if the total ozone in the ozone layer were to be put under ground level pressure, though, it would occupy a layer only 3 mm thick!
Ozone (O3) splits into a molecule of oxygen (O2) and a single oxygen atom (O) when it reacts with UV rays and then combines again to form ozone. Thus, the total amount of ozone is maintained.
Its depletion occurs due to increase of hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide radicals, atomic chlorine & bromine and predominantly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that combine with the single oxygen atom, hence preventing the reformation of ozone.
The ozone layer acts like a natural filter because it prevents most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the earth. For every 1% depletion of the ozone in this layer there is an increase of 2% in the harmful UV rays that are able to reach the surface of our planet. This is dangerous because UV rays harm living beings, and can cause cataracts and skin cancer.
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