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STRATOSPHERIC OZONE DEPLETION: A FOCUS ON EPA'S RESEARCH (EPA/640/K-95/004)
Citation:
Burke, P. STRATOSPHERIC OZONE DEPLETION: A FOCUS ON EPA'S RESEARCH (EPA/640/K-95/004). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 1995.
Description:
This brochure describes the mechanisms of and problems associated with stratospheric ozone depletion as well as some of the Office of Research and Development's (ORD) associated research projects. The Office of Research and Development has pursued a multifaceted research program to address priority concerns associated with depletion of stratospheric ozone. ORD's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory in North Carolina has been studying human and animal immune system responses to increased UV-B exposure. This work will help characterize risks of enhanced susceptibility to disease and UV-induced cancers. ORD's National Exposure Research Laboratory has been monitoring incoming levels of UV-B and how they are affected by various atmospheric conditions. A monitoring network has been established and the data is being used, in part, to support an experimental UV Exposure Index. The "Index," similar to one developed in Canada, is the result of cooperative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Weather Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Provided along with the daily weather report, the "Index" estimates the maximum expected UV dosage for one hour centered around noon. Accompanying this daily value are the associated risks for various skin types _ affording individuals at risk a chance to take precautions (e.g., sunglasses, protective clothing, sunscreens) to reduce exposure. The rapid phaseout schedule for all ozone depleting substances has lead to the development of a number of alternative chemicals. ORD's Air and Energy Engineering Division is pursuing a wide range of research tasks to generate data on the properties of alternative compounds and their performance in new and existing systems. Through a standard series of screening tests, the Laboratory determines compound properties (e.g., flammability) and performance through simulated applications. Today more than 130 countries have agreed to the Montreal Protocol and its revisions. To support this worldwide agreement in the United States, the Clean Air Act of 1990 contains many measures aimed at protecting stratospheric ozone. Even though progress has been made in reducing emissions of ozone depleters, the peak atmospheric concentrations of these substances is not expected to be reached until the end of this century. Should phaseout progress continue, a slow decline of ozone depleting substances in the atmosphere will occur thereafter. In response to an alarm sounded by concerned scientists two decades ago, the world has taken action to avert a major environmental problem. With rising optimism, the work continues.