View of the Ozone layer shot by European Space Agency (ESA) satellite ERS-2. (AFP photo)BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhuanet)-- The recovery of the earth's ozone layer, which protects life from excessive solar radiation, would takefive to15 years longer than predicted, two United Nations agencies reported Friday.

By 2049, the protective layer will be back to pre-1980 levels over huge areas in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, the agencies said.

That's five years later than forecast in the last major scientific report, in 2002.

Scientists said Friday it would take until 2065, instead of 2050 as previously expected, for the ozone layer to recover and the hole over the Antarctic to close.

"The delayed recovery is a warning that we cannot take the ozone layer for granted and must maintain and accelerate our efforts to phase out harmful chemicals," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the UN Environment Program Friday.

The ozone hole, a thinner-than-normal area in the upper stratosphere's radiation-absorbing gases, hasbeen blamed for increased risks of skin cancer and cataracts in humans.

The hole may also harm crop yields and sea life, according to researchers.

Experts said they extended the projected recovery because chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, would continue to leak into the atmosphere from air conditioners, aerosol spray cans and other equipment for years to come.

The new assessment is in a summary of a report by 250 scientists to be issued next year on the effects of the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which committed signatory nations to ban the use of ozone-depleting products. Enditem

(Agencies)