********************************************************************** *** ** ** ** ** ****** **** ***** **** ** ** * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** * ** ** ** ** ** *** ****** **** ** ** **** ***** *** * ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **** ** *** ** **** ***** *** **** ***** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ***** ** ** ** * ** ** ** ** ** ***** **** ** **** **** ** **** **** ** ** **** ********************************************************************** - A factsheet brought to you by EcoGopher at the University of Virginia This fact sheet was prepared with the assistance of the Environmental Defense Fund. Fred Krupp, EDF's Executive Director, is a member of Earth Day 1990's Board of Directors. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? Ozone is a compound of three oxygen atoms, unlike oxygen in the air we breathe that contains two oxygen atoms. In the stratosphere, the atmospheric layer between six and 30 miles above Earth's surface, ozone forms a layer that shields the Earth against ultraviolet radiation from the sun. (It is important to note that whereas ozone in the stratosphere is absolutely necessary to protect the Earth, in the lower atmosphere - where it is a by-product of fossil fuel burning - ozone is a harmful air pollutant.) Recently, scientists have recorded a decline in stratospheric ozone levels. It is predicted that as the ozone layer thins, there will be an increase in cases of skin cancer and eye cataracts, crop damage and destruction of marine life. Ozone depletion has been linked primarily to the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. CFCs are used as cooling agents in refrigerators and air conditioners, as blowing agents for foam insulation, as cleaning agents in electronics manufacturing, and (in some countries) as propellants for aerosol sprays. Halons are used in fire suppression systems. Before the link was made between CFCs and ozone depletion, CFCs were considered an ideal chemical because they are nonflammable and nontoxic. But because of their stable nature, CFCs remain intact in the atmosphere for many years, eventually working their way up to the stratosphere. Once in the stratosphere, ultraviolet light breaks apart the CFC compound, freeing the chlorine atom to catalyze a reaction with ozone molecules, converting them to oxygen molecules. Oxygen molecules do not provide the same protection from ultraviolet radiation. One CFC molecule may be responsible for the destruction of as many as 100,000 ozone molecules. In 1985, a hole the size of the continental United States was discovered in the ozone layer over Antactica. Each subsequent spring, decreases in ozone of up to 40 percent have been recorded over Antarctica. NASA has recently reported ozone decreases of up to three percent over denseley populated areas of North America and Europe. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there will be an increase of 20,000 skin cancer cases for every one percent decrease in ozone. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SLOW OZONE DEPLETION? In 1987, an international convention was held in Montreal to discuss some possible solutions to ozone depletion. This meeting resulted in the Montreal Protocol, which calls for a 1989 freeze on production of CFCs at 1986 levels and a 50 percent reduction by 1998. More recently, several industrial countries, including the United States, have called for a total phase-out by the year 2000. Dupont, the world's largest producer of CFCs, has announced that it plans to phase out future production of CFCs by the end of the century. Consumers can slow the rate of ozone depletion through sensitive purchasing and use of products and appliances. Some suggestions are: * Immediately repair any leaks in your refrigerator, and ask that the CFCs be recycled when the refrigerator is serviced or before it is scrapped. * When purchasing a car, consider one without air conditioning. A light colored model with a white interior can help keep temperatures down. * If you already own a car with air conditioning, have it professionally checked periodically for leaks and make sure the CFCs are recycled anytime the air conditioner is serviced and before the car is scrapped. The proper recycling equipment for professional air conditioner servicing businesses is now available nationally. * Consider alternatives to air conditioning in your home. Some suggestions: -Install an effective fan-cooling system. -Plant trees on the southern side of your house to provide shade. (Trees that lose their leaves in the winter will allow sunlight to warm your home in cooler months). -Apply a coat of reflective seal on your rool to keep out heat. (Any light colored material will do the job.) * Consider alternatives to rigid foam insulation that contains CFCs. * Purchase a hand-held fire extinguisher that is halon-free. * Encourage state and local elected officials to pass laws requiring CFC recycling from air conditioning and refrigeration units. Check all products before purchase to avoid ozone damaging chemicals. These include CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC-115, Halon-1211, Halon-1301, Halon-2402, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. FOR MORE INFORMATION * Environmental Defense Fund 257 Park Ave., S. New York, NY 10010 (212)505-2100 * Center for Environmental Information 99 Court Street Rochester, NY 14604 (716)546-3796 * Friends of the Earth 218 D Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202)544-2600 * Natural Resource Defense Council 40 West 20th Street New York, NY 10011 (212)727-2700 * World Resources Institute 1709 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20006 (202)638-6300 * Worldwatch Institute 1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036 (202)452-1999 . .