Part 4/7:
However, there is an often-overlooked side to this story: the environmental impact. As these satellites burn upon re-entry, they release chemical compounds like aluminum oxide. Such materials pose a risk to the ozone layer, essential for protecting life on Earth from damaging ultraviolet rays, and can disrupt the climate balance in the upper atmospheric layers. Elois Mahé, an atmospheric chemistry expert from University College London, warns, "We are entering uncharted territory. Constant re-entries are polluting our atmosphere with toxic metals and other compounds never seen on such a scale, which could significantly alter the climate."