Which impacts on humans are directly linked to stratospheric ozone depletion (choose 2)? A) nerve and muscle damage B) lung cancer C) skin cancer D) cataracts

What you are being asked to connect

This question is about the human health effects that come specifically from stratospheric ozone depletion. The key idea is that less ozone means less filtering of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.

How ozone depletion affects humans

Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs much of the Sun’s UV-B radiation. When ozone is depleted, more UV-B reaches the surface, which can damage DNA and sensitive tissues.

Checking each option

• A) nerve and muscle damage: Not a standard direct effect linked to increased UV-B from ozone loss.
• B) lung cancer: Lung cancer is most strongly linked to smoking and certain air pollutants, not directly to UV-B exposure from ozone depletion.
• C) skin cancer: Yes. Increased UV-B raises the risk of skin cancers (including melanoma and non-melanoma types).
• D) cataracts: Yes. UV exposure can damage the eye’s lens over time, increasing cataract risk.

Final selection

Choose C and D.