The demand for UV protection products could increase significantly in the near future with a reported unprecedented depletion of the Ozone layer above the Arctic this year. Decreases in overhead ozone lead to increases in surface ultraviolet radiation which have been known to have adverse effects to humans and other life forms.

A recent NASA-led study, led by a team of scientists representing 19 institutions from nine countries, has documented an unprecedented depletion of the Earth's protective Ozone layer above the Arctic last winter and spring. The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. It extends from about 10 to 20 miles above the surface.

Scientist from United States, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, Russia, Finland, Denmark, Japan and Spain, investigated the 2011 Arctic ozone loss. The investigation included daily global observations of trace gases and clouds from NASA's Aura and CALIPSO spacecraft; measurement of ozone by intrumented balloons, meteorological data and atmospheric models.

The finding is that the cold period in the Arctic lasted more than 30 days longer in 2011 which caused the unprecedented ozone loss. The scientists are now studying what factors caused the long cold period.

However, this ability to quantify polar ozone loss and associated processes can be reduced with NASA's Aura and CALIPSO spacecraft reach the end of their operational lifetimes, the NASA said, adding that it is imperative that this capability is maintained.

The 1989 Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that limits the production of substances that depletes the ozone, has been responsible for the reduced chlorine levels that would caused the formation of Arctic ozone holes every spring.

This ozone hole formation will continue for decades because of the long atmospheric lifetimes of ozone-depleting chemicals.