There is a certain chemical on our Earth, called the ozone. This chemical can be both beneficial, and dangerous for the human race. It all depends on where it is located. If it is high up in the Earth's atmosphere, it is not harmful, since it protects us from the some of the really bad radiation that comes from the sun. However, when ozone is very close to us, it can be harmful, since it irritates our lungs. However, studies have shown that we do have a layer of protection against this kind of air pollution, and that is - our skin. Our skin has a lot of oils. When you mix the molecules of ozone, and the molecules of the oil of the skin, you get a chemical reaction. Ozone and oxygen are kinf of the same, but have their differences. Oxygen has molecules, and each molecule contains two atoms. Ozone has another extra atom, and that is why it behaves differently from typical oxygen. Ozone is poisonous, as well as protective and beneficial.
Scientists conducted an experiment, where they took the dust from rooms of 500 children. They found materials such as phtlate, and large amounts of cholesterol and squalene. Squalene is that fat on the skin, and it makes up 10% of it. The skin grows another layer every couple of weeks, and the bits of the old layer, fall off, and vecome dust.
The squalene covers everything, so all surfaces in the house can break the ozone as fast as skin can. This can prevent a lot of lung infections and diseases.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20100414/Note2.asp
By: Stephen Ornes
Date published: April 14, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment