Why has EPA taken action on a pesticide under the Clean Air Act?
Scientific assessments conducted by atmospheric scientists under the authority of the World Meteorological Organization with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration indicate that methyl bromide contributes significantly to the destruction of earth’s stratospheric ozone layer. The most recent report, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998 is now available as an Executive Summary. It contains the most up-to-date understanding of ozone depletion and reflects the thinking of 304 international scientific experts who contributed to its preparation and review. This report has given methyl bromide an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0.4. More on the science of ozone depletion from NOAA, in FAQ #5 of this web site, and EPA. Title VI of the Clean Air Act (Amendments of 1990) requires that all substances with an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.2 or greater be phased out in the United States within 7 years. These compounds a
