Philippines leads in ozone preservation among 48 countries

THE country leads in ozone preservation among 48 countries, according to data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

While that is good news, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said that more things need to be done to preserve the ozone layer.

Figures from ADB showed that from 1990 to 2008, ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) dipped by a substantial 89 percent in the country.

From 3,477 ozone-depleting potential metric tons in 1990, the Philippines only had 397 metric tons in 2008.

In Southeast Asia, the country ranked second among the best improved, trailing Singapore with a 97-percent drop.

Malaysia placed third with an 86-percent reduction and Thailand, 83-percent drop in CFCs.

Ozone, a three-molecule substance of oxygen, forms a blanket of layer at the lower stratosphere, where it shields the Earth’s surface from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

In the 1970s, a “hole” in the ozone layer was found over the Antarctica, suggesting its thinning from the effects of ODS.

Chlorine in CFCs, especially those found in old refrigerators and air-conditioning units, breaks down ozone in the atmosphere. One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules.

This international concern led to the ratification of Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer, and research for an effective substitute for CFCs.

Noting observation of Ozone Month, Paje said that “as of January 2010, we [Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR] have totally phased out seven of eight groups of ozone-depleting substances,” referring to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as the only remaining ODS group that has not been phased out.

“The Philippines has been doing its homework in the fight against global warming, but there remains much to be done,” he added.

Among them, curbing proliferation of CFC by stopping entry of smuggled, unregistered or contaminated refrigerants; and collecting unwanted refrigerants from service and junk shops, industries and even households.

Paje said that there is a need to monitor importation levels of HCFCs and control previously imported or stockpiled ODS.

The country still imports methyl bromide, an ODS, but only for quarantine pre-shipment (QPS) purposes.

But Paje said that there also is a need to control the substance for possible non-QPS use.

Methyl bromide is used as a fumigant for QPS, a system to prevent pests from damaging imported and exported agricultural products such as grain and timber.

More potent

Bromine atom in methyl bromide is more potent in destroying ozone than chlorine.

Successful implementation of measures against ODS won the country recognitions.

Among these were Outstanding National Ozone Unit Award for Implementation by the Montreal Protocol, Ozone Award for the DENR from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and a Montreal Protocol Exemplary Project Recognition for the DENR’s Philippine National Ozone Office.

During Ozone Preservation Week, Paje said that the public can have the air-conditioning units in their vehicles tested for free nationwide on September 16, to find out if these are still using CFCs.

The DENR asked vehicle owners with models prior to 1999 to use alternative refrigerants for their cars, such as R134A.

R134A is a more ozone-friendly alternative compared with previous refrigerants, such as CFC12, also known as R12 or Freon gas, which depletes the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. –JOHN CONSTANTINE G. CORDON REPORTER, Manila Times