Ozone depletion is good for you
Concerns about the loss of stratospheric ozone have sparked interest in the health effects of ultraviolet light (UV). Most of the concern has been about skin cancer, but this is not the only health effect. Other harmful effects include snow blindness, cataracts, aging of the skin, photodermatoses, and suppression of the immune system (Longstreth et al.). There are also beneficial effects including production of vitamin D and a beneficial effect for patients with psoriasis (Longstreth et al.). Hugh W. Ellsaesser has claimed that the beneficial effects of increased UV would outweigh the harmful effects, but as we shall see, there is a major flaw in his claim.
Ellsaesser has, in fact, used two versions of this claim. The first version appeared in "A Rational View on Stratospheric Ozone", which was published in the Fall 1994 21st Century Science and Technology (page 42). A similar version appeared in "The Misuse of Science in Environmental Management" which is available at the Heartland Institute web site. 21st Century, for those not familiar with it, is published by associates of political extremist Lyndon LaRoche and is the source of many of the anti-environmental myths that are now circulating.
Version 1, the osteomalacia version (from 21st Century):
"One subject never heard in discussions of stratospheric ozone is the beneficial effects of UV radiation."
While the beneficial effects have received much lees attention, the claim that the are never heard is patently false, as shown by Longstreth et al., which was published several months before "The Misuse of Science" was.
""For most land animals with skeletons (including man), the only natural source of the vitamin D required to metabolize calcium into bone is from the action of solar UV on the oils in the skin. Shortage of vitamin D during the growing years can lead to rickets and in later life to osteomalacia (bone loss to dangerous levels)."
For humans vitamin D can be obtained from.cheese, butter, margarine, cream, fish, and oysters. And some foods, including all of the milk sold in the United States, are fortified with the vitamin. It is also available in vitamin tablets, and calcium supplements can be bought with or without vitamin D. And there are vitamin injections for those who cannot absorb the vitamin. (AHCN, America's HouseCall Network)
"In the United States it is estimated that 20 to 25 million people suffer from osteomalacia, including 25 percent of women beyond menopause"
It is common knowledge that 20 to 25 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is a much rarer disease, with an incidence of 1 per 1000 people.. And some cases are caused by factors other than a lack of vitamin D, such as kidney problems. In addition, many of the people with osteomalacia spend little or no time outside, and an increase in UV would be of little benefit to them (AHCN).
Ellsaesser goes on to state that "a decrease in the depth of the ozone layer could prove to be a net health benefit" but this conclusion is based on erroneous data.
The second version, the osteoporosis version, appeared in Environmental Gore: A Constructive Response to Earth in the Balance (pages 146 to 147). Note the deferences from the first version:
The Montreal Protocol was adopted with no consideration whatsoever of the benefits of UV exposure. For most land vertebrates including man, the only source of vitamin D-required for the metabolism of calcium into bone-is derived from the action of UV on the oils in the skin, fur, or feathers. (Furred and feathered creatures get their vitamin D by self-grooming). A shortage of vitamin D during the period of formation of the skeleton leads to rickets in the young and to osteoporosis in the old. Among the estimated 25 million people in the U.S. suffering osteoporosis today, there are approximately twice as many bone fractures per year, typically of the femur, as there are new cases of skin cancer. Theoretically, increased UV flux, as from decreases in the thickness of the ozone layer, would alleviate this condition in future generations.
This version is also wrong. The adult form of rickets is osteomalacia. The main cause of osteoporosis is hormonal changes due to aging. There are a number of deferences between the two diseases, the AHCN pages on osteoporosis and osteomalacia can be consulted for more information. To prevent osteoporosis, it is recommended that people get sufficient calcium. along with vitamin D and phosphorus. As noted above, calcium supplements with vitamin D are available, and there should be no difficulty in obtaining enough of the vitamin. Also recommended is exercising. In some cases hormone replacement treatment is used. (Note: this is not intended to be medical advice, contact your physician if you have any questions.)
Updates (May 1998)
1. A recent study (Thomas et al.) found that 57% of 290 hospital patients had low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (the chemical produced from vitamin D in the liver) in their blood. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Robert Utiger recommended increasing the intake of vitamin D. He wrote that "Spending more time in the sun can help, but not enough, and it raises fear of skin cancer." Not surprisingly, there was no recommendation to damage the ozone layer. He also noted that "rickets and osteomalacia-teh consequences of sever vitamin D deficiency-have largely disappeared" and that "Foods such as dairy products, eggs, and fish contain a little vitamin D, and much more is available in fortified foods."
2. According to an item in World.Watch (Tuxill) part of the reason that frogs are disappearing is increased UV-B: "In the northwestern United States, the Cascades frog and the western toad are suffering reduced breeding success because of increased levels of ultraviolet-B radiation-now penetrating a thinned ozone layer-which destroys their eggs in the species' high-altitude breeding pools." This is more evidence that damage to the ozone layer causes a variety of damage.
Ellsaesser, Hugh W., "A Rational View on Stratospheric Ozone", 21st Century Science and Technology, Fall 1994, pages 37 to 45.
Ellsaesser, Hugh W., "With Respect to the Ozone Hole-Gore is Part of the Problem" in John A Baden, editor, Environmental Gore: A Constructive Response to Earth in the Balance, Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy, 1994.
Longstreth, Janice D. et al., "Effects of Increased Solar Ultraviolet Radiation on Human Health", Ambio, Vol 24, 1995, pages 153-165
Thomas, Melissa K, "Hypovitaminosis D in Medical Inpatients"', The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 338 (March 19, 1998), pages 777-783.
Tuxill, John, "The Latest News on the Missing Frogs", World.Watch, May/June 1998, pages 9-10.
Utiger, Robert D, "The Need for More Vitamin D", The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 338 (March 19, 1998), pages 828-829.
Written by Jim Norton
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