Background

     Ozone(O3) gas is an isotope form of oxygen in the atmosphere. Only three molecules of ozone occur in ten million molecules of air. Nearly 90 percent of ozone is found in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). It is created both naturally and by human activity. Its presence in the stratosphere protects life on the earth as it stops harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation which harms plants and animal life.

     Ozone depletion was noticed in the 1970s and the Antarctica hole appeared in 1975. Manmade halocarbons like the cholorofluorocarbons (CFCs, trade name Freon) used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosols, given the generic name ‘ozone destroying substance’ (ODS) are reducing the protective layer of stratospheric ozone. It was also established that halocarbons also contribute about 10 percent to global warming. The most vulnerable areas are adjacent to the poles, though the threat to South Asia is no less alarming. Evidence has been produced that there has been an ozone decrease over heavily populated northern latitudes. The health of the ozone layer over the tropics has to be studied. The layer over India is minimal and this is the region of ‘ozone dip’ which is of concern.

Montreal Protocol, CFC Politics and India

     The Vienna Convention (1985) and the Montreal Protocol (1987) are intended to protect the environment from this threat. Under the Montreal Protocol, developed countries have already phased out CFCs and developing countries would do so in a phased manner. Ozone depletion will not peak until the early 21st century. It is estimated that the hole over Antarctica is not expected to close for nearly 100 years. As an interim measure, CFC would be replaced by hydroflurocarbon (HCFC). HCFC is not ODS, but has global warming potential. Its ultimate substitute, isobutane and propane referred to as hydrocarbons are not ODS and have negligible global warming potential. But the risk is that hydrocarbons are inflammable.

     India acceded to the Montreal Protocol along with its London Amendments and its provisions became effective from 17 September 1992. Several measures have been taken to discourage the use of ODS and encourage ODS substitutes. Government grants custom and excise duty exemptions on ODS phase out projects. Financial bans have been imposed on establishment of ODS technology. In 1999, India was granted US $ 82 million to assist in the phase out of CFC. The top four Indian companies account for 16 percent of world production of CFC as against China’s world share of 30 percent. To comply with the Montreal Protocol, deadlines for phasing out are in place besides regulating production, trade, import and export of ODS. Some important cut off dates for India are:-

(a)     CFC production ban (except metered does inhalers and other medical purposes) by 1-1- 2003.

(b)     CFC, Halon and Carbon tetrachloride phase out by 1.1. 2010.

(c)     Methyl chloroform phase out by 1.1. 2015.

(d)     Hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) used as interim substitutes to replace CFCs to be produced in 2015 and phased out by 1.1.2040. 

Check on Smuggling in CFCs

     Oblivious of any long term environmental threats, criminals are smuggling CFC across the sea, which is more profitable than the trade in heroin or cocaine. CFC can retail at $4 a kilo in developing countries as against the international rates between US$ 1 and 1.5 per kg. This encourages countries to sell back CFC to India illegally. United Nations Environmental Programme has urged nations to combat smuggling in South and South East Asia. The Ministry of Environment and Forest is inviting entries to a national poster competition on international ozone day on 16 September. The topic is ‘For a green tomorrow stop black trade in ozone depleting substance’.

Future of the Ozone Layer

     Scientists at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have determined that the size of the ozone hole above Antarctica appears to have stabilized. The future health and recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer is a global security problem. In countries like Australia people are very conscious, and wear solar hats and goggles. Tropical countries like India would also suffer from the threat of skin cancer and cataract which the poor can neither protect themselves against nor get proper treatment.

     The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of Australia claims that ozone loss in the mid altitudes is due to the presence of increased level of NO2 (nitrous oxide) due to chemical fertilizers and fossil fuel use. In another contemporary study, NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia University warn that by 2030s, ozone depletion may be more pronounced due to changes in water vapour and temperature leading to rise of green house gasses.

     The future of the Ozone layer is vital for ecological and human health, and for the agricultural sector. It is a looming “external” threat for India. A concerted action to replace ODS and control of smuggling is imperative. Most important for India is to manufacture its own non ODS chemicals to be self reliant, as the refrigeration industry is on the upswing due to a rising middle class, urbanization, culture of air conditioning and the massive need to have post harvest refrigerated storage.