RT Report
T1 The Ozone Depletion Problem (An Example of Harm Commitment): MARC Report Number 1
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 Rockefeller Foundation, 
A1 International Council of Scientific Unions, 
A2 Machta, Lester
K1 ozone-depleting substance
K1 climate
K1 radiation effect
K1 ultraviolet radiation
K1 environmental impact assessment
K1 cancer
K1 chlorofluorocarbon
SN 0 905918 002
YR 1976
FD 1976
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/27969
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/27969
NO This report provides a clear, accessible evaluation of the complex challenge posed by ozone layer depletion and its long-term consequences for human health and the environment. It details the scientific understanding of how specific chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and oxides of nitrogen, are released through human activities and transported to the stratosphere, where they catalytically destroy ozone. The report uses the dose and harm commitment concept to show that the environmental release of these chemicals leads to a committed increase in ground-level ultraviolet radiation, which is strongly associated with higher rates of skin cancer, particularly among susceptible populations. It discusses the significant scientific uncertainties that persist in modeling these impacts, accentuating the need for continued atmospheric monitoring and laboratory research. An annex offers a thorough economic analysis of restricting CFC emissions, balancing the technological and cost implications against the environmental and public health benefits, and concludes with actionable recommendations for policy, monitoring, and ongoing assessment.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 19, 2026