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Ozone Depletion Enforcement
Stratospheric ozone, which absorbs 97% to 99% of the sun’s damaging high frequency ultraviolet light, is destroyed by various ozone-depleting substances (ODS). While ozone is constantly being created and destroyed through natural cycles, the release of ODS into the atmosphere accelerates the destruction processes, resulting in lower than normal levels of protective strateospheric ozone.
Ozone-depleting substances include:
- chloroflurocarbons (CFCs)
- hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs)
- halons
- methyl bromide
- carbon tetrachloride and
- methyl chloroform
These substances are commonly used in residential and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the production of foam and insulation, and as aerosol propellants, among other uses.
Ozone-depleting substances are regulated under Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which was added in 1990 to implement the Montreal Protocol and protect the ozone layer from further destruction. EPA enforcement focuses on Title VI Sections:
- 604 and 605 of Title VI, which phase out the production and consumption of Class I and II ozone depleting substances
- 608, which requires recycling of chloroflurocarbons, prevents venting and other excessive leaks from certain equipment;
- 609, which restricts motor vehicle air conditioning repair activities.
Cases and Settlements
- Bakery Partnership Program - (CFC audit and violation disclosure program)
- Confetti String Cases (American Greetings, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Target, Too, Inc.)
EPA has also taken a number of other civil and criminal CFC enforcement actions.
For more information on stratopheric ozone protection, visit the Ozone Depletion Homepage.