The depletion of stratospheric ozone is a serious global environmental problem. Ozone depletion can result in an increase in skin cancer, cataracts, and possible immune system impairments among humans as well as a reduction in crop yields and diminished productivity of oceans. The discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica has led to a number of international treaties, including the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol and the London Amendment. To implement these protocols, EPA has issued regulations for phasing out production and importation of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs). The Agency has also worked with international organizations to implement new labeling regulations and programs to recycle ozone-depleting substances found in air conditioners and refrigerants.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
  Information on international ozone protection policies.
• Recent International Developments in Saving the Ozone Layer
  Provides information about recent international developments in saving the ozone layer.
• Ozone Depletion: Other Information Resources
  These sites have been organized to maximize coverage of each category, but many of them contain more than one type of information.

Border Issues
Great Lakes, Transboundary Pollution, US-Canada Border, US-Mexico Border

Chemicals Management
Export, Green Chemistry, Import, Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRS), Screening

Country & Regional Programs
Canada, Caribbean, Central Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Western Europe

Environmental Policy
Children's Health, Marine Pollution, Trade

Global Climate Change
Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Sink, Forestry, Greenhouse Gas, Land Use, Methane, Technology Cooperation

Import/Export
Pesticides, Waste

International Visitors

Partners/Networks
International Joint Commission (IJC), NAFTA Technical Working Group on Pesticides, OECD Pesticide Working Group

Pollution Prevention
Binational Toxics Strategy

Radiation

Stratospheric Ozone

Technical Assistance
Environmental Technology Verification, Site Remediation Technologies, Training

Treaties and Agreements
Basel Convention, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, La Paz Agreement, London Convention, Marpol Agreement, Montreal Protocol, North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), US-Japan Agreement on Cooperation in Environmental Protection, US-Taiwan Bilateral Agreement In the Field of Environmental Protection, US-Thailand Agreement in the Area of Environmental Protection

Voluntary Standards
ISO 14000

Waste

Water
Marine Pollution, Transboundary