DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER

     The National Aeronautics and Space Administration reported March 15th
that atmospheric ozone over the Northern Hemisphere had declined significantly
over the last two decades.  It also found that loss of ozone in the Southern
Hemisphere, which is most acute in springtime over Antartica, was spreading
into wider areas and that ozone levels where reduced throughout the year.

     Ozone in the upper atmosphere absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun that
can cause skin cancer and eye problems and damage other human health and
natural systems.  Scientests estimate that for every one percent decline in
atmospheric ozone, two percent more ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth's
surface.  There is a broad based consensus that man-made chemicals are 
responsible for much of the ozone loss.  Loses ranged from 1.7 to 3 percent
between 30 and 60 degrees latitude north between 1969 and 1986, with as 
much as 6.2 percent in wintertime.  The Senate passed legislation the day
previous on curbing the chemical production in the United States responsible