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UN News Centre: UN-backed effort to halt illegal trade in ozone depleting chemicals reports successes
The Morning Leader Online, Colombo : Small inventions that help clean the environment
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UN News Centre: UN-backed effort to halt illegal trade in ozone depleting chemicals reports successes




1 March 2007 – A United Nations-backed initiative to curb illegal trade in chemicals that damage the ozone layer, the naturally occurring gas that filters out cancer- and cataract-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, has reported it first promising results ahead of today’s start of its second phase.


Up to 64.8 tons of illegal ozone depleting substance (ODS) have been recorded in China, India, Thailand and other countries following the start of Project Skyhole Patching, an initiative launched on 1 September by China Customs, coordinated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and operated by related customs administrations and international organizations in the region.


The project seeks to combat illegal trade in ODS and hazardous waste in the Asia Pacific region and involves 20 customs and environmental authorities from 18 countries. The hazardous waste phase begins today.


“It is encouraging to see that our training efforts, involving customs and enforcement officers in the 18 participating countries is beginning to have payoffs,” UNEP Policy and Enforcement Officer Ludgarde Coppens said.


Since the project began, customs in Hong Kong, India and Thailand have played an active role in sharing information on ODS. Some countries like Viet Nam and Cambodia are holding bilateral discussions on illegal ODS trade.


Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are among ozone depleting substances targeted for phase out under the Montreal Protocol. Now entering its 20th year the Protocol, one of the most successful environmental agreements to date, has succeeded in phasing out ODS in developed countries, led to the closure of many ODS producing plants and deterred the creation of industries that use them.


But the phase-out becomes more crucial for developing countries as the date they have pledged for completion in 2010 approaches. Illegal trade in CFCs and other ODS is expected to grow as a complete ban is enforced. Studies indicate that trade in illegal ODS represents nearly 10 to 20 per cent of all trade in ODS. CFCs alone account for 7,000 to 14000 tons of this trade, valued at $25-60 million.


Project Skyhole Patching partner states are: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

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The Morning Leader Online, Colombo : Small inventions that help clean the environment


Volume 2, No. 29


Technological advancements in treating asthma could help clean up the environment

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti


As we prepare to meet our targets in dealing with phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), it becomes futile to discuss targets in the absence of innovative and clean technology. As the world takes giant strides in the sphere of technological advancement, a new invention which is smaller, but interesting is ready to enter the South Asian market.


In a bid to promote phasing out as well as affordable alternatives in doing so, sufferers of one of the most common and fast spreading respiratory diseases, Asthma, could soon have the benefit of treatment in a manner that would also help their environment.

Health that is also good for the environment


The topic was discussed recently in Colombo as a strategic and innovative approach to phase-out the inhalers which do contain Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) as part of the positive actions South Asian nations could take to achieve the objective.


At a high level meeting in Colombo on December 3, last year, it was suggested that there should be "maximum support" for such developments given the need to heal the ozone hole completely.


These inhalers, commonly known as Metered-Dose Inhalants (MDIs), are used for the treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), two very common lung diseases that affect an estimated 300 million people worldwide.


The propellants used in MDIs are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an ODS controlled under the Montreal Protocol.


Available


According to Network Policy Manager, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics, UNEP, Gerda Mercks, for people who use these inhalers, the environmentally friendly versions are now available in some developed countries like Japan and Australia. While many developing countries still import MDI, domestic industries that manufacture MDIs are at various stages of adopting available new technologies.


Mercks feels that the opportunity to plan for the adaptation to technology change should take place now.


According to reports, more than a quarter of the adult population in developing countries suffers from COPD. There has also been a steady increase in the prevalence of asthma that ranges from nearly 1% in countries such as Indonesia to over 30% in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.


Affordability


"Given the prevalence of these diseases and evidence of their increasing numbers in developing countries, and the fact that they have committed to phase-out of CFCs under the Montreal Protocol, it is important that governments as well as the industries work towards not only CFC-friendly inhalers but also ensuring that they are within an affordable range of the prospective buyers," says Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva.


The phase-out of CFCs in MDIs was raised at the Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol, where signatories unanimously endorsed the need to support developing countries in their transition to ozone-friendly inhalers.


Sustainability


"Sustaining ODS phase-out needs strong political commitment. Through such commitments have been able to achieve phase-out targets under the Montreal Protocol, it is also important to deal with related issues such as management of chemicals to complete the good work," notes Minister of Mahaweli Development, Irrigation, Environment and Agriculture, Maithripala Sirisena.


Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol made a conscious departure from the past in assisting developing countries to enable them to implement the Montreal Protocol.


This departure emerges from the new context in which developing countries now operate under the compliance regime of the Protocol. The new context of compliance regime requires countries to: achieve and sustain compliance, promote a greater sense of country ownership and implement the agreed Executive Committee Framework for Strategic Planning.


Asthma and COPD


Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are the most common chronic diseases of the air passages (airways or bronchi) of the lung. It is estimated that this disease affects over 300 million people worldwide.


COPD is a narrowing and inflammation of the airways resulting from damage to the lung tissue (emphysema). It is caused primarily by cigarette smoking, but may result in part, from inhalation of certain occupational dusts or environmental air pollution.


The prevalence of COPD in many developed countries is around 4 - 17% in the adult population over 40 years.


Data is less certain in developing countries but it is estimated to be as high as 26 %. An international study of asthma in childhood has shown a prevalence of asthma that varies from approximately 1% in some countries such as Indonesia to over 30 % in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.


Through extensive research, ozone friendly propellants such as HFC-134a and HFC-227ea (in the pharmaceutical sub-sector, HFC is referred to as HFA) that could replace CFCs have been discovered for use by the MDI manufacturing industry.

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