Which of the following environmental hazards is due primarily to human activities?
Answer Details
The environmental hazard primarily due to human activities is ozone depletion. Ozone is a gas that protects life on Earth from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The ozone layer is a thin layer of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere.
Human-made chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays, contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. When CFCs reach the ozone layer, they release chlorine atoms, which destroy ozone molecules.
As the ozone layer becomes thinner, more UV radiation can reach the Earth's surface, leading to increased skin cancers, cataracts, and other health problems for humans, as well as harm to plants and animals.
In summary, ozone depletion is the environmental hazard primarily caused by human activities, specifically the use of human-made chemicals like CFCs.