It acts as a sunlight filter , shielding life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays that put humans at greater risk of skin cancer and cataracts and harm marine life , the agency said . 2007 ozone hole larger than in 2008 , ESA says . It covers area of 10.4 million square miles . Ozone layer acts as a sunlight filter , shielding Antarctica from some ultraviolet rays .
2007 ozone hole larger than in 2008 , ESA says . It covers area of 10.4 million square miles . Ozone layer acts as a sunlight filter , shielding Antarctica from some ultraviolet rays .