Recent analysis of global measurements of ozone distributions using satellites have revealed widespread declines in mid-latitude ozone, with regional reductions approaching ~1% per annum (Stolarksi et al., 1991). The existence of mid-latitude ozone losses has prompted much debate over whether and how perturbations to the chemical composition at high latitudes within the polar vortex may contribute to the reduced ozone amounts observed at lower latitudes (e.g. Schoeberl et al., 1992; Proffitt et al. 1990, 1992, Tuck et al., 1992, 1993, 1994). The export of polar air to low latitudes during each winter can bring air that has undergone recent ozone depletion or air in which chlorine activation has occurred, both potentially contributing to mid-latitude ozone loss. If this 'vortex outflow' is large enough, it may influence the relationship between atmospheric chlorine loading and ozone loss, and knowledge of this process is thus essential for prediction models. In this paper in situ observations of nitrogen compounds from both hemispheres are used to quantify the transport of chemically perturbed polar air to lower latitudes, and show that the transport of air from the polar vortex, at least above the 400K potential temperature surface, appears small. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1995