U.S. position and policy on ozone-depleting chemicals

In 1987 the US and 23 other nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, a landmark international environmental agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The original Protocol called for a 50 percent cut in CFCs by 1998 and a freeze in halons by 1992. In addition, the Protocol requires periodic assessments, reviews, and revisions. In response to recent evidence that ozone depletion is occurring more rapidly than initially expected, Protocol Parties met in June 1990 to strengthen the existing Protocol. The revised Protocol includes stricter controls on CFCs and halons as well as new controls on additional ozone-depleting chemicals and mechanisms for providing financial assistance to help developing countries comply with the Protocol. The author discusses the Environmental Protection Agency's stratospheric ozone protection program. She talks about activities to implement the changes to the Protocol, new controls, joint EPA-industry cooperatives to develop substitutes, the CFC recycling program, and other efforts to promote more environmentally-sound alternatives