U.N. Says 'Ozone Hole' Hits Record Size [View All]

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&e=5&u=/ap/un_ozone_layer

By ERICA BULMAN, Associated Press Writer

GENEVA - The ozone hole over the Antarctic this year has reached the record size of 10.8 million square miles set three years ago, the United Nations (news - web sites)' weather organization said Wednesday.


Measurements over and near Antarctica show that ozone decreased more rapidly this year than in previous years and that the size of the ozone hole is now as large as it was in September 2000, the World Meteorological Organization (news - web sites) said.


The hole could continue to grow to its largest size ever in the next couple of weeks, the WMO said, but it also could suddenly decrease.


"It's impossible to predict," said Michael Proffitt, a leading expert on the ozone hole at WMO. "Judging from previous years it usually continues to increase for one or two weeks at this point.

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