Stratospheric ozone protection: The Montreal Protocol and Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
The stratospheric ozone layer protects the surface of the Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation, which has been causally linked to skin cancer and cataracts, suppression of the human immune system, damage to crops and aquatic organisms, the formation of ground-level zone and the rapid weathering of outdoor plastics. In recent years, scientists have observed a significant deterioration of the ozone layer, particularly over the poles, but increasingly over populated regions as well. This deterioration has been attributed to the atmospheric release of certain man-made halocarbons, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Once used extensively as propellants for aerosol sprays (but generally banned for such purposes since 1978), CFCs are widely used today as refrigerants, foams and solvents. All of these chlorinated (CFC, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride) and brominated (halon) compounds are classified for regulatory purposes as Class I substances because of their significant ozone-depleting potential. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), developed as alternatives to CFCs and halons for many different applications, have been classified for regulatory purposes as Class II substances because of their relatively less destructive impact on stratospheric ozone. This paper describes the following regulations to reduce destruction of the ozone layer: the Montreal Protocol; Title VI of the Clean air Act Amendments of 1990; Accelerated Phase-out schedules developed by the countries which signed the Montreal Protocol; Use restrictions; Recycling and Emission reduction requirements; Servicing of motor vehicle air conditions; ban on nonessential products; labeling requirements; safe alternatives. 6 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6558119
- Journal Information:
- Air and Waste; (United States), Vol. 43
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
OZONE LAYER
OZONE
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
USA
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
CLEAN AIR ACTS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
AGREEMENTS
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
LAYERS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION LAWS
REGULATIONS
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)