adminCatherine Murombedzi H I V Column
If we were to have a survey taken of people who have had skin cancer locally and then go back in history to see what type of job or environment they worked under we may get a rude awakening. The ozone layer is the atmospheric layer that is found in the stratosphere. This layer must absorb the ultra violet light from the sun. Why just ultra violet? Ultra violet radiation causes harm to the environment and human beings. This important ozone layer absorbs the sun’s biologically harmful ultra violet radiation.
Depletion of the ozone layer causes skin cancers, eye cataracts and practically permanent blindness.
Zimbabwe has stopped using ozone depleting substances in farming and even refrigeration technicians are being trained since 2012 on the harmful substances that may be found in some refrigerators.
The world marked International Day for the preservation of the ozone layer on September 16. However, as a country we subscribe to the worthy cause and will commemorate on September 25 in Harare.
Thirty years ago the international community signed The Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer.
On September 16 1987, all global signatures were appended on the Montreal Protocol which stated the production and consumption of chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs). The CFCs had made a hole in the ozone layer and with that damaged the humans and animal inhabitants faced harmful ultra violet radiation.
The world anticipates recovery of the ozone layer by the middle of this century.
One may ask what is now the replacement for CFCs? Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) have been used to replace the later.
While HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they are extremely potent greenhouse gases and will contribute a great deal to warming of our already overheated planet in the coming decades unless we act accordingly.
Mr George Chaumba Ozone Project Manager in the Ministry of Climate, environment and water said Zimbabwe is committed to protecting the ozone layer as seen by steps it has taken.
“Zimbabwe no longer uses CFCs even in grain storage in silos, refrigeration technicians are being trained on the harmful methods some of them may employ in discharging their duties and in tobacco production no CFCs are used today.
“This will go a long way in healing the ozone layer. As we look forward to adoption of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and efforts by governments later in Paris this year to forge a new collective path forward on climate change, the Montreal Protocol success inspires us and shows global commitment,” said Mr Chaumba to journalists at a workshop in Mudzi in July.
Linking cancers caused by ultra violet radiation Zimbabwe can’t slug on this.
With the high rate of HIV infection at 14,3 percent (WHO 2013) Zimbabwe has a lot to gain from limiting the effects of ozone depletion. The world averted 2 million skin cancers annually and Zimbabwe is feeling the burden of cancers nationally.
Skin cancers are noted and mostly in people who have a suppressed immunity. People with full immunity also suffer from skin cancers but to those with a suppressed immunity the effects are greater.
“Non communicable diseases like cervical cancer, breast cancer, skin cancers eg Kaposis Sakoma, non hodgkins lymphoma are on the increase in Zimbabwe and with the link to loss of immunity’ the wellness programmes have to take into account this new phenomena,” said David Mutambara in 2013 when he addressed the National AIDS Council in Kadoma as chairman then.
Online Reporter