The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act Protecting the
Stratospheric Ozone Layer Did you know? Ozone-destroying
chemicals escape into the air and reach the stratosphere. Over
time they reduce the layer of stratospheric ozone that protects
us. When the protective ozone layer is damaged, there is an
increase in harmful rays from the sun reaching the Earth. These
rays can harm both health and the environment. Service stations
must have special equipment that prevents release of refrigerant
chemicals to the air when they are recharging car air
conditioning systems. Ozone can be good or bad depending on
where it is located. Close to the Earth's surface, ground-level
ozone is a harmful air pollutant. Ozone in the stratosphere,
high above the Earth, protects human health and the environment
from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. This natural
shield has been gradually depleted by manmade chemicals. So in
1990, Congress added provisions to the Clean Air Act for
protecting the stratospheric ozone layer. Ozo