KEY POINTS:
New Zealanders have been urged to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet radiation after the discovery of the biggest ozone hole on record over Antarctica this year.
The hole, which appears each year and peaks in size in late September or early October, is already bigger than last year's, The Dominion Post newspaper reported.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research principal radiation scientist Richard McKenzie said that though the ozone hole was the biggest yet recorded, it was not vastly bigger than those in previous years.
" When the hole dissipates in December it could mean a period of low ozone during summer."
The ozone hole covers 27 million square km, compared with 25 million at last year's maximum size - bigger than North America.
When ozone levels drop, UV radiation gets through and can cause skin cancer, eye damage and harm to the immune system.
SunSmart manager Wayde Beckman said people should protect their skin.
- NZPA
