The stratosphere is one of the five layers of our atmosphere. The layer closest to us is the troposphere, which contains most of the air. The stratosphere is the next layer of our atmosphere and lies about 7 miles to 30 miles above the Earth's surface. This layer is important as it contains ozone in its lower parts.
Ozone is a molecule of oxygen and has a chemical formula of O3. It absorbs the ultraviolet rays from the incident solar radiation. These ultraviolet rays are capable of causing eye damage, skin cancer and a number of other problems in human beings and animals. Since the ozone layer (present in the stratosphere) absorbs it, we are protected from these ill effects.
Unfortunately, a number of man-made chemicals (such as chlorofluorocarbons--CFCs) are causing the destruction of this useful ozone layer and hence putting us at risk. Many of these chemicals have been banned so far.
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