Other Information Resources

The following links have been organized to maximize coverage of each category, but many of them contain more than one type of information. The Stratospheric Protection Division does not maintain these sites, so please contact their authors with comments. Note that the vast majority of these sites are also outside of EPA's web site.

The sign indicates a link to a non-EPA site.

The Ozone Layer - General Information and Ozone Depletion

Basic Ozone Depletion Chemistry

Description, with graphics, of the natural ozone balance in the stratosphere and how chlorine destroys ozone molecules.

Executive Summary of Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2006

Available on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratrion's web site, the most recent WMO/UNEP scientific assessment contains the most up-to-date understanding of ozone depletion and reflects the thinking of over 300 international scientific experts who contributed to its preparation and review.

Information from Environment Canada

This site focuses on indicators of ozone depletion and features many graphs and original data.

NOAA Monograph - Our Ozone Shield

A detailed explanation of the history of the ozone depletion issue.

Online papers at CIESIN

This site provides the full text of an enormous number of papers on ozone depletion, including the original paper on the ozone hole.

 

Ozone Depletion Policy

CIESIN Thematic Guide

A detailed site with a large volume of information.

Environment Canada

This is Environment Canada's national stratospheric ozone depletion web site. It features general information, publications related to ozone depletion, and applicable regulations and codes of practice, as well as links to Regional ozone sites.

Other International Policy Links

EPA's International Policy page provides links to many other bodies responsible for implementing the phaseout under the auspices of the Montreal Protocol.

OzonAction

UNEP IE's OzonAction Programme provides industry, government and other stakeholders in developing countries with information exchange services (including this web site), training and Networking of ODS Officers. In addition to these core clearinghouse services, the programme also provides assistance with Country Programmes and Institutional Strengthening projects.

Technology and Economic Assessment Panel

The TEAP, organized under UNEP, is responsible for issuing regular reports on progress on implementing the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances, including assessments of alternatives and emissions reduction. It includes seven committees, some of which have their own sites linked from the home page.

UNEP Ozone Secretariat

The United Nations Environment Programme's Ozone Secretariat coordinates implementation of, and meetings under, the Montreal Protocol.

United Nations Development Programme

UNDP helps countries implement national programs to phaseout CFCs, halons and other ODS through: (a) national country program formulation; (b) technical training and demonstration projects; (c) institutional strengthening/national capacity building; and (d) technology transfer investment projects.

Measurements of Ozone and Related Gases

The Austrian Ozone Monitoring Network

Description of the Austrian Network.

Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE)

Vertical profiles of various trace gases relevant to ozone depletion such as water vapor and HF.

NASA Ozone Depletion Movies, Graphics, and Original Data

This site is full of useful data and information. Download original ozone level data and see movies and graphics of ozone depletion and the Antarctic ozone hole. The site also lets you find the ozone level over your house!

NOAA Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory

CMDL includes several programs to measure important atmospheric characteristics.

NOAA Climate Prediction Center Products: Stratosphere

Current satellite ozone maps; UV index bulletin; TOVS data, images.

World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre

Operated by Environment Canada, this Centre is a part of the World Meteorological Organization. Also visit http://exp-studies.tor.ec.gc.ca/e/ozone/ozone.htm for current and time series graphs of ozone and UV radiation over Canada and North America.

Antarctic Ozone Hole

All the links in this section are to sites outside EPA.

British Antarctic Survey information

Information from the group responsible for monitoring the Antarctic Ozone Hole, including regular bulletins on ozone levels.

Original Paper on the Ozone Hole

This paper was the first time scientists reported the existence of the Antarctic ozone hole.

Ozone Hole Tour

This tour was put together by members of the Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Cambridge, UK. It features text, graphics, and movies.

UV Index and UV Monitoring

Check Your Local UV Index

EPA in partnership with the National Weather Service developed the UV Index in 1994 to help educate people about the effects of UV radiation. This site allows you to search for your local UV Index by zip code or city/state.

EPA's Ultraviolet Monitoring Program

EPA operates and maintains a network of Brewer spectrophotometers throughout the United States, measuring full-sky spectrally resolved solar radiation in the UV-B and UV-A bands. Irradiance and total column ozone concentrations are derived from the data.

Non-EPA sites

Environmental Health Center Sun Safety Site

A part of the National Safety Council, this site provides information on skin cancer, the UV Index, and protecting yourself from the sun.

NOAA/EPA UV INDEX Home Page

The latest UV Index, other links related to UV monitoring.

PRIMENet (Park Research and Intensive Monitoring of Ecosystems Network)

Information on a network of UV monitors in national parks with major ecosystems operated by the National Parks Service and EPA.

USDA UV-B Radiation Monitoring Program

Features site descriptions, maps, and data sets.

Environmental and Health Effects of Ozone Depletion

American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology promotes and advances the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the skin.

CIESIN Thematic Guide

This guide section provides an overview of health effects from increased ultraviolet-B exposure due to ozone depletion and offers more detailed essays on the key effects.

CIESIN: Stratospheric Ozone and Human Health Information

Provides data and resources in the areas of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ozone, and human health impacts of UV exposure for use by researchers, educators, government officials, health providers, students, and the general public.

 

Trade Organizations

General / Standards Setting Organizations

AFEAS

The Alternative Fluorocarbons Environmental Acceptability Study provides general information about ozone depletion, global warming and alternative fluorocarbons plus production, sales, and emissions data.

AHAM

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is a voluntary, nonprofit organization comprised of manufacturers of home appliances, including home refrigerator/freezers, room air conditioners, and mechanical room dehumidifiers. It publishes technical standards and certifies performance ratings of industry products. AHAM and EPA developed and endorsed Recommended Practices for Minimizing HFC Emissions From Refrigerator-Freezer Factories (PDF) (7 pp, 75K, About PDF).

ANSI

The American National Standards Institute coordinates voluntary standards activities, approves American National Standards, represents U.S. interests in international standardization, and provides information on and access to world standards.

BOMA

The Building Owners and Managers Association's purpose is to actively and responsibly represent the interests of the industry through effective leadership and advocacy, through the collection, analysis and dissemination of information, and through professional development.

ISO

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 100 countries, one from each country.

NIST

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's primary mission is to promote U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards.

PAFT

The Programme for Alternative Fluorocarbon Toxicity Testing conducted research on the toxicology of substitute fluorocarbons. AFEAS controls the PAFT site as a public service, even though PAFT no longer operates.

UL

Underwriters Laboratories is a leading developer of safety standards. UL has developed numerous standards related to recovery and recycling of refrigerants.

Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning

AAIA

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association is the international automotive trade association representing the entire retail aftermarket industry.

iATN

The International Automotive Technicians' Network is a group of several thousand professional automotive technicians from all over the world. The web site provides a forum for discussion of technical problems and a resource for many useful documents.

MACS

The purpose of the Mobile Air Conditiong Society is to fill the industry's need for comprehensive technical information, training and communication.

SAE

The Society of Automotive Engineers is your one-stop resource for technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

ACCA

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America is a national trade association that represents heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors - companies that design, install, maintain, and service residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental HVACR systems.

ARI Coolnet

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is a voluntary, nonprofit organization comprised of the manufacturers of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating products. It publishes technical standards and certifies performance ratings of industry products.

ASHRAE International

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is an international organization that conducts research, writes standards, and provides continuing education.

International Institute of Refrigeration

The IIR's purpose is the study of scientific and technical problems relating to refrigeration and the development of the uses of refrigeration to improve the living conditions of mankind.

NAPHCC

The National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors is dedicated to the promotion, advancement, education, and training of the industry to protect the environment and the health, comfort, and safety of society.

RSES

The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society is a not-for-profit international association whose main mission is to provide training and education on the installation, service, and repair of HVAC and refrigeration systems.

Fire Suppression

NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce the burden of fire on the quality of life by advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, and education for fire and related.