Ozone layer protects the earth's surface from excess ultraviolet radiation in sunlight. Depletion of the ozone layer may cause:
(i) Various forms of skin cancer
(ii) Cataract
(iii)Severe sunburns
(iv) Poor crop yields by affecting photosynthesis
(v) Ageing of the skin
(vi) Death of useful micro - organisms
(vii) Poor resistance to diseases.
It can cause a green - house effect, gradually warming the earth to the point where polar ice caps start melting and cause flooding \(\Rightarrow\) this is a very long term effect.