IB ESS SL 6.4.3 Stratospheric ozone protection Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 006.004.003 by applying stratospheric ozone protection concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 006.004.003 by applying stratospheric ozone protection concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.

Figure:Tropospheric ozone concentration in Mexico City over time
Outline why a high concentration of ozone in the troposphere is a direct problem for humans, while in the stratosphere it is a benefit to humans.
in the troposphere it causes respiratory illnesses / eye/nose/throat irritations / heart failure;
in the stratosphere it prevents entry of UV that is harmful to humans/can cause mutations/skin cancer/tissue damage/cataracts/crop damage; [1 max]
Note: Do not credit responses that simply suggest global warming/climate change as an impact of tropospheric ozone without referring to some direct impact of those phenomena on humans.
Note: Accept "ozone in stratosphere protects humans from UV" WTTE ... (use of "protects humans" implies UV is harmful to humans).