EPA 608 609 Ozone Depletion and Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which atmospheric layer contains the ozone that protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation?
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere (Correct answer)
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
Correct answer: Stratosphere
The protective ozone layer is located in the stratosphere.
Question 2: What element released from CFCs is primarily responsible for destroying ozone molecules?
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Chlorine (Correct answer)
- Oxygen
Correct answer: Chlorine
Chlorine atoms released from CFCs catalytically destroy ozone.
Question 3: A single chlorine atom can destroy approximately how many ozone molecules before becoming inactive?
- About 10
- About 100
- About 1,000
- Up to 100,000 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Up to 100,000
One chlorine atom can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules in a catalytic cycle.
Question 4: Which international agreement first set a schedule to phase out ozone-depleting substances?
- Kyoto Protocol
- Montreal Protocol (Correct answer)
- Paris Agreement
- Clean Air Act
Correct answer: Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol of 1987 established the phaseout of ozone-depleting substances.
Question 5: Under U.S. regulations, what is the common term for the rating that compares a substance's ozone destruction to CFC-11?
- Global Warming Potential
- Ozone Depletion Potential (Correct answer)
- Total Equivalent Warming Impact
- Refrigerant Hazard Index
Correct answer: Ozone Depletion Potential
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) measures a substance's ozone harm relative to CFC-11.
Question 6: Which section of the Clean Air Act governs the handling and recovery of refrigerants?
- Section 112
- Section 401
- Section 608 (Correct answer)
- Section 211
Correct answer: Section 608
Section 608 of the Clean Air Act regulates stationary refrigerant handling.
Question 7: Increased exposure to UV-B radiation from ozone depletion is most directly linked to which human health risk?
- Heart disease
- Skin cancer (Correct answer)
- Diabetes
- Hearing loss
Correct answer: Skin cancer
Higher UV-B exposure increases the incidence of skin cancer and cataracts.
EPA 608 609 Ozone Depletion and Regulations 2
Which atmospheric layer contains the ozone that protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation?