Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Air and Radiation
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (6205T)
Washington, DC 20460

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection
EPA-430-F-17-006
November 2017

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 Stratospheric Ozone Protection
30 Years of Progress and Achievements
Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Introduction
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a (CFCs), which were widely used in a variety of
threat to human health. It can cause skin damage, industrial and household applications, such as
eye damage, and even suppress the immune sys- aerosol sprays, plastic foams, and the refriger-
tem. UV overexposure also interferes with envi- ant in refrigerators, air conditioning units in cars
ronmental cycles, affecting organisms—such as and buildings, and elsewhere.
plants and phytoplankton—that move nutrients
and energy through the biosphere. Scientific observations of the rapid thinning of
the ozone layer over Antarctica from the late
In the 1970s, scientists discovered that Earth’s 1970s onward—often referred to as the “ozone
primary protection from UV radiation, the strato- hole”—catalyzed international action to dis-
spheric ozone layer, was thinning as a result of continue the use of CFCs. In 1987, the United
the use of chemicals that contained chlorine States joined 23 other countries and the Euro-
and bromine, which when broken down could pean Union to sign the Montreal Protocol on
destroy ozone molecules. The most common of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Mon-
these ozone-depleting substances (ODS) was treal Protocol). This international treaty protects
a class of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons and restores the ozone layer by phasing out the

Changes in the Antarctic Ozone Hole, 1987 to Today

The following images illustrate the change in the Antarctic Ozone Hole between 1987 and today.1
Assuming continued international compliance with the Montreal Protocol, Antarctic ozone levels are
expected to return to pre-1980 levels by 2050.

1
NASA, “NASA Ozone Watch,” NASA.gov. https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/ (accessed August 31, 2017).
Page 2
1
production and consumption of certain ODS in- benefits human health and the environment.
cluding CFCs, halons, methyl bromide, and hy- This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of
drochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). the Montreal Protocol and all it has enabled us
to achieve to protect life on Earth.
The Protocol has been joined by all 197 coun-
tries of the United Nations (UN), and its parent
treaty, the Vienna Convention for the Protection
of the Ozone Layer, are the only international “Perhaps the single most
treaties to ever achieve this distinction.
successful international
Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan remarked on the success of this global environmental agreement
response by saying, “perhaps the single most
successful international environmental agree- to date has been the
ment to date has been the Montreal Protocol.”
The ozone layer is on the path to recovery, which Montreal Protocol.”
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, 1997-2006

Common Applications of Ozone-Depleting Substances

Methyl Carbon
CFCs Chloroform Tetrachloride

Fire Fumigant in
Aerosol Refrigerant Foam Solvent Feedstock Suppressant Agriculture

CONTAINS
Methyl
HCFCs Halons
Chlorine Bromide
Chlorine and/or Bromine
Bromine

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Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

The Montreal Protocol: from 1987 to Today

Since 1987, the Montreal Protocol has been

strengthened to reflect the latest scientific in- Technological Improvements Stimulated
formation and technological advances. In the
beginning, the Protocol addressed the produc-
by the Montreal Protocol
tion and consumption of primarily CFCs. Over
the past thirty years, the global community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
has worked together to add amendments to Equipment Manufacturers
the Protocol that address the use of additional
Manufacturers of refrigeration and air
chemicals and adjust the timeframes for phas- conditioning equipment re-designed their
ing out certain chemicals (see amendments equipment to improve energy efficiency and
and milestones map). Today, the Protocol pro- reduce refrigerant leakage rates, which also
vides a clear pathway for global reductions in resulted in reduced operating costs.3
the consumption and production of nearly 100
Aerosols Industry
substances, including CFCs, HCFCs, halons,
methyl bromide and other ODS. The most re- Industry developed “not-in-kind” alternative
cent amendment to the Protocol was adopted delivery systems to ODS-propelled aerosol
cans, such as spray pumps and roll-on
in October 2016.2 deodorants, which are safe for human and
environmental health and more cost-effective
As ODS have been controlled for gradual phase than aerosols.4
out by the Montreal Protocol and the interna-
tional community has demanded new, safer al- Solvents Industry
ternatives to replace ODS, industries that have To reduce the use of solvents to clean metal
used ODS have responded with significant tech- parts, deflux wiring assemblies, and remove
nological innovations. Many non-ozone-deplet- contaminants from precision mechanical parts
ing alternatives have come onto the market, and in the electronics industry, the solvent cleaning
industry developed new solder fluxes and
equipment manufacturers have used the transi- pastes that do not require cleaning, or can be
tion away from ODS as an opportunity to make cleaned with water.5
other technological improvements, including
improvements to energy efficiency and product Agricultural Fumigants
design. In some cases, a new chemical alterna- High-barrier tarps are now used in the agriculture
tive was not necessary because a “not-in-kind” industry in response to the phaseout of
replacement was developed that created an en- methyl bromide. These tarps are laid on top
tirely new type of delivery system. of a fumigated field and significantly reduce
atmospheric emissions and bystander exposure to
fumigants while achieving effective pest control.

2
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol outlines a global phase down of the production and consumption of a class of powerful greenhouse gases
called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are often used as replacements for ODS.
3
Cook, E. and Kimes, J.D., Dangling the Carrot; and Forte, R. and Livernash, R., Chilling Out (1996). In E. Cook (Ed.), Ozone Protection in the United States:
Elements of Success. World Resources Institute: Washington, DC.
4
United Nations Environment Programme (2015). Decision XXVI/9 Update Task Force Report on Additional Information on Alternatives to Ozone-Depleting
Substances. Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, September 2015.
United Nations Environment Programme. (2015). Synthesis of the 2014 Reports of the Scientific, Environmental Effects, and Technology & Economic
5

Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi.

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 Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol Amendments Amendments and Milestones
and Milestones

London Amendment

1990 Phaseout of CFCs and other harmful ODS is set at 2000

for developed and 2010 for developing countries
Montreal Protocol
Copenhagen Amendment
1987 The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
the Ozone Layer is signed
1992 Phaseout of CFCs is accelerated to 1996 and HCFC phaseout is targeted
Montreal Amendment
to begin in 2004 for developed countries

Vienna Convention
1997 Phaseout of HCFCs is established for developing
countries
1985 The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer is negotiated
Montreal Meeting of the Parties
Vienna Meeting of the Parties
2007 Phaseout of HCFCs is accelerated for developed and
1995 Phaseout of methyl bromide is set to 2010 and HCFC phaseout is moved
developing countries
from 2030 to 2020 for developed countries

Dubai Meeting of the Parties

2015 The Dubai Pathway establishes an

agreement to create an HFC Amendment
Kigali Amendment under the Montreal Protocol

2016 Phasedown of HFCs is established Bangkok Meeting of the Parties

1993 Phaseout of HCFCs is accelerated for

Nairobi Meeting of the Parties
developed countries to start ten years earlier
1991 The Multilateral Fund is established to finance phaseout Beijing Amendment
projects in developing countries
1999 Controls on the production and trade of methyl bromide
and HCFCs are tightened Page 4
Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

U.S. Achievements in Stratospheric Ozone Protection

Exceeding the Phaseout
Since signing the Montreal Protocol in September
1987, the United States has played a leadership
role in the global effort to protect and restore
the stratospheric ozone layer. In response to the
adoption of the Montreal Protocol, the U.S. Con-
gress added Title VI, Stratospheric Ozone Protec-
tion, to the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of
1990. The United States has now implemented
a range of domestic actions under Title VI that
have enabled us to meet and exceed the ODS
phaseout outlined under the Montreal Protocol
(see graph below), and at a lower cost than origi-
nally anticipated.6 Many of these programs have
served as a model for other countries seeking to
phase out their own use of ODS.
6
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for
Environmental Economics (2001). The United States Experience
with Economic Incentives for Protecting the Environment. EPA-
240-R-01-001.

The United States Exceeding its Phaseout Obligations

The figure shows the United States’ success in reducing HCFC consumption in accordance to allowable
consumption levels under the Montreal Protocol.
18,000
U.S. HCFC Consumption
16,000
HCFC Consumption (ODP metric tons)

Allowable Consumption
14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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 Benefits to Human Health and the Environment

In addition to serving as a policy leader, the Unit- A team of atmospheric scientists led by the
ed States has led efforts resulting in significant National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
health and environmental benefits. These include tion (NASA) also modeled the effects of what
reductions in the number of skin cancer cases and would have happened to the ozone layer if the
improved agricultural production. These benefits Montreal Protocol had not been enacted. They
have far outweighed the cost of the transition found that ozone levels worldwide would have
from ODS to alternative substances. fallen to dangerously low levels, and by 2065,
the UV radiation hitting mid-latitude cities like
EPA modeled the effects of a depleted ozone lay- Washington, D.C. would have been strong
er on Americans born between 1890 and 2100, a enough to cause sunburn in just five minutes.9
timeframe that includes those who were very old
when the ozone hole was discovered and those U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2015). Updating Ozone
7

who will be very young when the ozone layer is Calculations and Emissions Profiles for Use in the Atmospheric and
Health Effects Framework Model.
fully recovered. The modeling showed that full
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1999). The Benefits and
8
implementation of the Mon­treal Protocol is ex- Costs of the Clean Air Act 1990 to 2010. EPA-410-R-99-001.
pected to result in the avoidance of more than 9
Newman, P.A., L.D. Oman, A.R. Douglass, E.L. Fleming, S.M. Frith,
280 mil­lion cases of skin cancer, approximately M.M. Hurwitz, S.R. Kawa, C.H. Jackman, N.A. Krotkov, E.R. Nash,
J.E. Nielsen, S. Pawson, R.S. Stolarski, and G.J.M. Velders. “What
1.6 mil­lion skin cancer deaths, and more than Would Have Happened to the Ozone Layer if Chlorofluorocarbons
45 million cases of cataracts in the United States,7 (CFCs) Had Not Been Regulated?” Atmospheric Chemistry and
Physics 9 (2009). doi:10.5194/acp-9-2113-2009
result­ing in hundreds of billions of dollars in soci-
etal health benefits in the United States over the
pe­riod 1990 to 2165.8

Prevent more than Slows the breakdown of

45 million cataract cases polymer products, such as plastics,
for Americans. caused by UVB radiation.

Reduce U.S. incidences

of skin cancer by
280 million.
Produce about $4.2
Save an estimated
1.6 million American lives trillion in societal
health benefits in
from avoided skin cancers.
the United States.

Prevents changes Protect the early

in plant form, nutrient development stages
distribution, and of fish, shrimp, crabs,
and other marine
development caused
animals that can be
by UVB radiation. damaged by UVB Page 6
7
radiation.
 Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Progress and Achievements in Protecting the Ozone Layer

1973 1978
Scientists detect CFCs in the atmosphere. The United States bans
uses of CFCs as a propellant in
1974 some non-essential aerosols. 1981
Nobel prize winners Rowland and UNEP Governing Council 1985
launches negotiation process The Science Supporting the Agreement
Molina discover that CFCs can British Antarctic Survey team discovers first evidence of stratospheric ozone depletion.
break down stratospheric ozone. on ozone layer protection. A team of scientists discovered the first evidence of diminishing
ozone in the stratosphere over Antarctica in 1985, validating the
theory of ozone depletion put forth by Rowland and Molina a decade
earlier. Shortly thereafter, these findings led to action when world
leaders signed a landmark environmental treaty in 1987, the
1987
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
1975 Twenty-four countries sign the Montreal Protocol on
Today, with universal ratification and scientific support, the world is
Scientists discover that bromine is a potent ozone-depleting substance. Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
successfully phasing out the production and use of ODS under the
1975 Montreal Protocol and healing the stratospheric ozone layer. These
S.C. Johnson announces global corporate actions demonstrate the world’s commitment to work together to
1990
phaseout of CFCs as aerosol propellants. protect the ozone layer as well as global health and the environment.
Clean Air Act Amendments, including Source: NOAA
Title VI for Stratospheric Ozone
Protection, are signed into U.S. law.

1993
DuPont™ announces that it will halt its production of CFCs by the end of 1994.
1994
The United States eliminates production and import of halons.
2007
Parties to the Montreal Protocol agree to accelerate the phaseout of HCFCs by ten years.
1996 1996 2030
Developed countries complete The United States eliminates Developing countries scheduled to complete
phaseout of CFCs, halons, carbon production and import of CFCs, carbon 2009 phaseout of HCFCs.
tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, first propose a global
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs). phasedown of HFC production and consumption under the Montreal Protocol.
2000
First signs of ozone layer recovery observed.

2005 2020 2060-75

The United States proposes to accelerate the Developed countries scheduled to Earliest timeframe projected for
phaseout of HCFCs under the Montreal Protocol. complete the phaseout of HCFCs. the ozone layer to fully recover.
U.S. Actions Global Actions 2016
197 countries adopt an amendment to phase down
HFCs under the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda.

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Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Regulatory Efforts in the United States to Protect the

Stratospheric Ozone Layer

The United States has been able to achieve— The primary vehicle for achieving ODS reduc-
and exceed—its Montreal Protocol targets tions in the United States is CAA Title VI, Strato-
through a two-pronged policy approach: imple- spheric Ozone Protection, enacted by the U.S.
menting the framework enacted under the CAA Congress in 1990. So the United States can
coupled with effective industry partnership pro- meet its Montreal Protocol commitments, Title
grams that enable companies to exceed regu- VI requires the EPA to: issue federal regula-
latory requirements. The implementation of the tions to phase out the production and import
Montreal Protocol in the United States is a truly of ODS; ban the use of ODS in certain nones-
cooperative endeavor between the U.S. Envi- sential products like party streamers, aerosols,
ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other and plastic foams; require labeling of containers
government agencies, industries, trade associa- and products containing or manufactured with
tions, and environmental organizations, which certain ODS for consumer awareness; reduce
have all worked together to meet phaseout tar- ODS emissions from existing equipment; and
gets, develop transition plans away from ODS, approve alternatives to ODS.
and identify acceptable alternatives.

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Thirty years after the signing of the Montreal Pro- based on historical production and import ac-
tocol, the EPA currently is focusing on three major tivity. A company expends one allowance for
regulatory efforts that continue to ensure that we each kilogram of HCFC it produces or imports.
achieve the Montreal Protocol phaseout sched- Allowances can be traded among producers 
ule, support the transition to safer alternatives, and importers.
and minimize emissions of ODS currently in use in
appliances: the HCFC Allowance System, refrig- EPA has allocated annual allowances for HCFC
erant management requirements, and the Signifi- production, import, and export several times
cant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. since the system was established in 2003. These
allowance allocations have enabled the United
States to meet its commitments under the Mon-
HCFC Allowance System treal Protocol through an accelerated HCFC
phaseout schedule. New production and import
The HCFC Allowance System focuses on phasing of most HCFCs will be phased out by 2030.
out HCFCs over time. Under this system, pro-
ducers and importers receive HCFC allowances

EPA’s UV Index App and Widget

EPA developed a widely-used smartphone app
and widget to promote awareness of the UV Index,
a numeric indicator of the strength of the sun’s
cancer-causing ultraviolet rays. The app and widget
provide a U.S. National Weather Service forecast of
daily and hourly levels of UV solar radiation for a
user’s location, along with accompanying sun-safety
action steps. The UV Index is one of EPA’s most-
viewed websites.

You can download EPA’s UV Index smartphone

app from iTunes or Google Play (use the search
term: EPA’s UV Index), and the widget from: http://
developer.epa.gov/envirofacts-uv-index-widget/.

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Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Refrigerant Management
Refrigerant management regulations are one of
the regulatory tools used in the United States
to help ensure we avoid unnecessary emissions
from existing refrigeration and air conditioning
equipment while also allowing for their contin-
ued, responsible use. These regulations apply to
sources that use stationary refrigeration and air
conditioning appliances as well as motor vehicle
air conditioning. Together, these sectors account
for approximately 60% of ODS emissions in the
United States. The EPA’s refrigerant management
regulations require that refrigerants are properly
handled, recovered, and disposed of in order to
limit emissions. These regulations were most re-
cently updated in November 2016 to ensure re-
pair of leaking equipment along with improved
inspection and prevention of leaks from equip-
ment using ODS and substitute refrigerants.

Responsible refrigerant management supports

the ODS phaseout because it leads to increased
recovery and reclamation of used refrigerants,
which reduces the need to produce new re-
frigerants. Reclamation standards ensure con-
EPA-certified reclaiming fidence that refrigerants that are re-used meet
high purity standards. EPA-certified reclaiming
businesses have reclaimed more
businesses have reclaimed more than 168 mil-
than 168 million pounds of lion pounds of refrigerant from 2000 to 2016,
refrigerant from 2000 to 2016, avoiding ODS emissions equivalent to 18,000
avoiding ODS emissions equivalent Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) metric tons.
These reclaimers have also supported the devel-
to 18,000 ODP metric tons. opment of new state-of-the-art technologies to
responsibly manage purification of refrigerants
and refrigerant blends entering the market.

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 Refrigerant Management Requirements of the Clean Air Act

Technician
Certification

Recycling
Service Practice and Recovery
Requirements Equipment

Refrigerant Refrigerant
Reclamation Management Leak
Management
Requirements

Safe Disposal Refrigerant

Requirements Sales Restrictions

Recordkeeping
Requirements

Reclaimed ODS Refrigerant in the United States

Refrigerant Reclaimed (millions of pounds)

14
HCFC-22 Other HCFCs CFCs
12

10

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

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Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Promoting the Development

of Safe Alternatives

Another major regulatory effort focuses on In addition to impacts on the ozone layer,
smoothing the transition to safer alternatives. EPA considers many criteria in its SNAP
The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)
program evaluates and regulates the use of al- evaluations of substitute chemicals:
ternatives to ODS. Under SNAP, EPA evaluates
Toxicity Ozone Depletion Potential
substitutes that are used in eight major indus-
trial, commercial, and consumer sectors using O3
a comparative risk framework to ensure substi-
tutes pose lower overall risk to human health
and the environment than other available alter-
natives for the same uses. Occupational &
Consumer Health/Safety Flammability
SNAP’s evaluations and listings of acceptable
and unacceptable ODS substitutes are used not
only in the United States, but are often looked
to by many other countries around the world as
they consider their own transitions to alternatives.
The SNAP program has facilitated a smooth and Ecosystem Effects Atmospheric Effects
timely transition away from ODS across a variety
of end-uses.

Industrial Sectors under the SNAP Program

Refrigeration and
Foam Blowing Agents Aerosols Fire Suppression
Air Conditioning

Adhesives, Coatings,
Tobacco Expansion Sterilants Cleaning Solvents
and Inks

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14
EPA Partnerships that Protect the Ozone Layer

GreenChill
Partnership If the 38,441 supermarkets in the United States
reduced their emissions to the GreenChill average,
EPA’s GreenChill there would be an annual industry-wide savings of:
Partnership works
with the supermar-
ket industry to reduce $213 million
refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact
on the ozone layer and environment. The goals
of GreenChill are to provide industry stakehold- 29 million metric tons of carbon
ers with information and assistance to: dioxide equivalent of emissions,
ƒƒ Transition to environmentally friendlier equal to the emissions from over
refrigerants 6.2 million passenger vehicles
ƒƒ Reduce the amount of refrigerant used by
stores and eliminate leaks 151 ODP metric tons of
ODS emissions
ƒƒ Adopt green refrigeration technologies
and environmental best practices

GreenChill Partners account for approximately

28% of all stores in the United States

Platinum Level GreenChill-Certified Store

Gold Level GreenChill-Certified Store

Silver Level GreenChill-Certified Store

Partner Store

GreenChill Program as of June 30, 2017

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Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program

EPA launched the Responsible Appliance Dis-

posal (RAD) Program in October 2006 to help
protect the ozone layer, reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions, and benefit communities.
Partners, including utilities, manufacturers, re-
tailers, and states, go beyond regulatory re-
quirements by ensuring that old refrigerators,
freezers, window air conditioners, and dehu-
CONSUMERS RAD PARTNERS
midifiers are recycled using the best environ-
mental practices available. Refrigerators Freezers Retailers Utilities
Window Air Conditioners Local Governments
Dehumidifiers Manufacturers Other

BENEFITS APPLIANCE RECYCLERS

Reclamation
Prevents Emissions of ODS and GHGs Foam Destruction
Prevents Release of Hazardous Substances Reclamation
Refrigerant
Saves Landfill Space through Recycling Destruction
Reduces Energy Consumption Metals, Plastics, Glass Recycling
PCBs, Used Oil, Mercury Proper Disposal

Since the RAD Program’s inception in 2006, over 7 million refrigerated appliances have
been recycled the “RAD way,” resulting in many benefits:

1.1 billion pounds of 1,721 ODP metric tons

material diverted from landfills of ODS emissions avoided

31.6 million metric tons of 23.8 billion kWh saved

carbon dioxide equivalent of and $2.9 billion in consumer
emissions avoided, equal to the savings from removing old
emissions from over 6.7 million units from the grid
passenger vehicles

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Looking Ahead
EPA and its partners have made great progress in their protection of the ozone
layer through the Montreal Protocol, domestic regulations, and public-private
partnership programs. However, repairing the ozone layer is an ongoing effort
that will take many years and continued worldwide cooperation to accomplish.

EPA looks forward to continuing working with its partners at other government
agencies at the federal and state levels, as well as with industry, international
organizations, NGOs, and academia, to protect the ozone layer and make our
world a safer place for generations to come.
Stratospheric Ozone Protection: 30 Years of Progress and Achievements

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