Environmental Protection Agency: Ozone-Depleting Substances

This page provides information on compounds recognized as ozone-depleting substances (ODS) under the Montreal Protocol.

The ODS are split into two groups under the Clean Air Act: Class I ODS, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and Class II ODS, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

For each ODS, this page provides the compound’s atmospheric lifetime, Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), Global Warming Potential (GWP), and Chemistry Abstract Service (CAS) registry numbers.

STEAM Topics Resource Audience Grade Level Tags

Science Topics

Meteorology, Pollution

Middle School

6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade

ozone layer

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Environmental Protection Agency: Air Topics

Environmental Protection Agency

Learn how air pollution can harm your health and the environment, and what EPA is doing to protect the air we breathe.

https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/air-topics

Environmental Protection Agency: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion

Environmental Protection Agency

Reduced ozone levels as a result of ozone depletion mean less protection from the sun’s rays and more exposure to UVB radiation at the Earth’s surface.

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/health-and-environmental-effects-ozone-layer-depletion

Environmental Protection Agency: Methyl Bromide

Environmental Protection Agency

In the atmosphere, methyl bromide depletes the ozone layer and allows increased ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth’s surface.

https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout/methyl-bromide

Environmental Protection Agency: Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

Environmental Protection Agency

New production and import of most HCFCs were phased out as of 2020.

https://www.epa.gov/ods-phaseout