Ozone Levels Drop to Record Lows Over Britain, Scandinavia

Ozone levels plummeted to record lows over Britain and Scandinavia this winter, exposing inhabitants to some of the worst levels of ultraviolet radiation recorded in densely populated areas, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Ozone depletion over that region, caused in large part by man-made chemicals released into the atmosphere, also was made worse by unusually cold temperatures, which increases the depletion rate.

Regional ozone levels during January, February and early March were about 30% below the average levels recorded between 1957 and 1978, before observable depletion began, according to the organization. On days in late February and the beginning of March, the levels were as much as 45% below the pre-1978 levels.