I'm confused about ozone...is it good up high and being depleted and bad down low where its accumulating?

Question

Can someone please explain? Why doesn't whatever makes the ozone hole deplete the bad ozone close by?

Answer 1

First of all, there is not really an ozone "hole", but a thinning of the ozone over polar regions, especially the Antarctic.  I don't believe this thinning is progressing, but has begun to be replenished.  

Ozone absorbs ultra-violet radiation that is emitted by the Sun, which is why it is important high up in the atmosphere.  But ozone is a corrosive gas, and can lead to problems when it builds up at the surface.