Ozone Layer Protection

Ozone Layer Protection and You

Content

  1. What is meant by "ozone hole"?
  2. Why it concerns you?
  3. What causes this phenomenon?
  4. What are these ozone depleting substances (ODS) used for?
  5. Can we get rid of the ODS?
  6. What are the international efforts in saving the ozone Layer?
  7. How does Hong Kong control the ODS?
  8. What is the Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning) Regulation about?
  9. What is the Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation about?
  10. How can I help to protect the ozone layer?
  11. Further Information
  12. Schedule
 

(1) What is meant by "ozone hole"?

Since about 1975, scientists have detected a severe drop in ozone concentration in the layer over the Antarctica each spring. The situation then reached an alarming scale in 1987 when an international expedition found that half of the Antarctica's ozone have disappeared over a region twice the size of the United States, creating an enormous "hole" in the ozone layer. Concentrations of ozone fell by as much as 50% of the norm at altitude of 18 km. At mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, up to 3% decrease in ozone concentration was also observed.

 

Image of Severe Drop in Ozone Concentration

(Severe Drop in Ozone Concentration)

 

Acknowledgement:
Permission to use the image of "ozone hole" from the Ozone Processing Team, Goddard Space Flight Centre, NASA, and the ozone depleting illustration schematic from the Centre for Atmospheric Science, Chemistry Dept., University of Cambridge ("Ozone Hole Tour" website address,http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/) is gratefully acknowledged.

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(2) Why it concerns you?

The ozone molecules form a protective layer which extends from about 16 km to 50 km up above the earth at low latitudes, and from about 8 km to 50 km at high latitudes. The ozone molecules absorb the sun's ultra violet radiation (UV) which will be harmful to us if it reaches the earth surface. With more UV radiation reaching the earth surface due to ozone depletion, human health and the environment will be adversely affected. The most significant effects will be the increased incidence of skin cancer, eye cataracts, damage to the human immune system and to the ecology of the earth.

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(3) What causes this phenomenon?

Scientists have reached consensus that ozone depletion in the stratosphere is caused by ozone depleting chemicals. These chemicals contain chlorine or bromine atom with inherent chemical stability and have long lifetime in the atmosphere, in the range of 40 to 150 years. These chemicals and other trace gases drift up into the stratosphere and become involved in chlorine-releasing reactions. The chlorine atoms then react with the ozone molecules in the presence of sunlight and destroy the ozone molecules. Just one chlorofluorocarbon molecule can destroy tens of thousands of ozone molecules.

These ozone-depleting chemicals are extensively used man-made chemicals including the followings: -

  • chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs);
  • halons;
  • 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform);
  • carbon tetrachloride;
  • methyl bromide;
  • hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs);
  • hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); and
  • bromochloromethane (BCM).

 

Image of ozone deplecting substances destroy the ozone molecules and allow more UV radiation reaching the earth

Ozone depleting substances destroy the ozone molecules and allow more UV radiation reaching the earth

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(4) What are these ozone depleting substances (ODS) used for?

The following are the common usage of CFCs and HCFCs :

  • CFC-11, CFC-12 and HCFC-22 are used as refrigerant in domestic air-conditioners and refrigerators as well as retail store refrigeration systems, chillers and air-conditioners.
  • CFC-11 and CFC-12 are used as propellants for aerosol sprays such as hair mousses and household cleaning products.
  • CFC-11 and CFC-12 are also used as blowing agents in the manufacture of foams for home furnishing, insulation and packaging. Some plastics may be shaped using CFCs, e.g. egg cartons, cups and cartons used in fast food operations. Rigid or semi-rigid foams are also used as thermal or sound insulation in refrigeration equipment, buildings and automobiles.
  • CFC-113 is a solvent for cleaning electronic circuit boards and computer components.
Halons are used as fire extinguishing agents. Bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF) is commonly used in portable fire extinguishers. Bromotrifluoromethane (BTM) is used in fixed fire-fighting installations. 1,1,1-trichloroethane is commonly used as a:
  • solvent for cleaning electronic circuit boards and metal work such as watches and clockworks.
  • thinner such as that for correction fluid.
  • cleaning agent in the textile industry (dry cleaning).

Carbon tetrachloride is used as a cleaning agent in textile and electronics industries.

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(5) Can we get rid of the ODS?

There has been considerable progress in finding non-ozone-depleting substitutes for ODS in the last few years. Substitutes for air-conditioning and refrigeration applications are now available, such as that HCFC-22 can be replaced by HFC-410A, CFC-12 can be replaced by HFC-134a. There are also emerging markets for "drop-in" replacement for HCFCs and halons.

Alternative products or processes can be used in some cases including the following:

  • alternative insulating materials;
  • substitute food containers such as hydrocarbon blown polystyrene, plastic film wrap and bags;
  • alternative packaging materials such as plastic film bubble wraps; and
  • air-conditioning and refrigeration plants operating on non-HCFC refrigerants.

HCFCs solvents can be substituted in some applications. For instance, petroleum solvents can be selected as a replacement for CFC-113 or 1,1,1-trichloroethane in cleaning applications. Aqueous cleaning, or even no-clean technology, are also alternative processes that can be used by the electronics industry.

Many household and personal aerosol products, e.g. paint sprays and insecticides, now use hydrocarbons (e.g. propane and butane) as propellants instead of HCFCs or CFCs.

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(6) What are the international efforts in saving the ozone layer?

In September 1987, an international treaty aimed at saving the Earth's ozone layer, known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, was signed in Montreal, Canada. The Protocol requires the phasing out of the ODS in accordance with agreed schedules. Following lists the ODS phasing out schedules applicable to Hong Kong:

Halons

Import for local consumption banned by 1.1.1994

 

CFCs

Carbon Tetrachloride

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

HBFCs

Import for local consumption banned by 1.1.1996

 

Methyl Bromide

Import restricted to local quarantine and pre-shipment applications only by 1.1.1995

 

HCFCs

Freeze consumption at base level starting 1.1.1996

 

35% reduction of import for local consumption by 1.1.2004

 

75% reduction of import for local consumption by 1.1.2010

 

90% reduction of import for local consumption by 1.1.2015

 

100% reduction of import for local consumption by 1.1.2020[1]

 

[1] Allow 0.5% of the 1989 base level for servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in the period 2020-2029.

 

BCM

Import for local consumption banned by 1.10.2009

 

 

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(7)How does Hong Kong control the ODS?

To fulfil Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's international obligations under the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (CAP. 403)was enacted in July 1989 to provide a statutory framework for the control of ozone depleting substances. The chemicals under control are referred to as "scheduled substances" in the Ordinance (Please see Session 12 - Schedule). The Ordinance prohibits the manufacturing of such substances and imposes controls on the import and export of these substances through registration and licensing provisions. The following is a summary of the related control:

 

Measures
Commencement Date
Control of import and export of scheduled substances
1.7.1989
Banning of import for local consumption of halons
1.1.1994
Licensing of import of methyl bromide strictly for local quarantine and pre-shipment applications
1.1.1995
Banning of import for local consumption of CFCs, 1,1,1-trichloroethane,carbon tetrachloride and HBFCs

1.1.1996

Licensing of import of HCFCs for local consumption
1.1.1996
Banning of import for local consumption of BCM
1.10.2009

 

 

Under the registration and licensing system, persons who wish to import or export any of the ODS must:

In 1993, two pieces of legislation were introduced under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance:

  • The Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning) Regulation
  • The Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation

Copies of the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance and subsidiary regulations are on sale at the Government Publications Centre. Also, they can be browsed from the web site of Bilingual Laws Information System at http://www.elegislation.gov.hk.

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(8) What is the Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning)(Amendment) Regulation about?

This Regulation prohibits the import of controlled products containing HCFCs, CFCs and halons, etc.:

  • an air-conditioner or heat pump designed to cool the driver's or passengers' compartment of a motor vehicle (whether or not installed in the motor vehicle);
  • refrigeration equipment or air-conditioning or heat pump equipment (whether for domestic or commercial use);
  • an aerosol product including those containing a pharmaceutical product or medicine as defined in section 2 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) ;;
  • insulation panel, insulation board or insulation pipe cover;
  • a pre-polymer;
  • portable fire extinguishers containing CFCs, halons, HCFCs or BCM.

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(9) What is the Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation about?

This Regulation prohibits any intended release of controlled refrigerants from motor vehicle air-conditioners or refrigeration equipment containing more than 50 kg of refrigerant charge into the atmosphere, and to conserve the controlled refrigerants through the use of approved recycling and recovery equipment.

For enforcement and monitoring purposes, owners or operators of industrial/commercial refrigeration systems, as well as proprietors of garages, shall be required to keep records on relevant repair services and the amount of CFC-based refrigerants consumed. Proprietors of vehicle scrap-yards shall also be required to keep records on the number of motor vehicle air conditioners decommissioned as well as the amount of CFC-based refrigerants recovered from the decommissioned air conditioners.

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(10) How can I help to protect the ozone layer?

While the vast majority of ODS usage is either industrial or commercial, individuals can help in the following ways:

  • Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerant.
  • Buy aerosol products that do not use HCFCs or CFCs as propellants.
  • Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimize refrigerant leakage.
  • For existing air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances that operate on HCFCs or CFCs, the refrigerant should be recovered or recycled whenever an overhaul of equipment is to be carried out. Replacing or retrofitting such equipment to operate on non-HCFCs refrigerant should also be considered.
  • When motor vehicle air-conditioners need servicing, make sure that the refrigerants are properly recovered and recycled instead of being vented to the atmosphere.

 

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(11) FURTHER INFORMATION

Enquiries concerning the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance and any other general information on the registration and licensing provisions may be made to the Air Science and Modelling Group of Environmental Protection Department at the following address:

 

Address Telephone Facsimile
33/F, Revenue Tower, 2594 6593 2827 8040
5 Gloucester Road, 2594 6225  
Wan Chai, Hong Kong    

 

Enquiries regarding the application for registration and import or export licences may be made to the Non-textiles Licensing Unit of Trade and Industry Department at the following address:

 

Address Telephone Facsimile
Room 1309, 13/F,
Trade and Industry Tower,
3 Concorde Road,
Kowloon City, Hong Kong.

2398 5560

 

2380 8504
Website:
www.tid.gov.hk/english/import_export/nontextiles/nt_ozone/nt_ozone.html

 

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(12) SCHEDULE

Scheduled Substances

A substance listed in this Schedule includes, except as otherwise stated, the substance's isomers.

 

PART 1
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

 

Chemical Name

Common Name

CFCl3

Trichlorofluoromethane

CFC-11

CF2Cl2

Dichlorodifluoromethane

CFC-12

C2F3Cl3

Trichlorotrifluoroethane

CFC-113

C2F4Cl2

Dichlorotetrafluoroethane

CFC-114

C2F5Cl

Chloropentafluoroethane

CFC-115

 

PART 2
Halons

 

Chemical Name

Common Name

CF2BrCl

Bromochlordifluoromethane

halon 1211

CF3Br

Bromotrifluoromethane

halon 1301

C2F4Br2

Dibromotetrafluoroethane

halon 2402

 

PART 3
Other Fully Halogenated Chlorofluorocarbons

 

Chemical Name

Common Name

CF3Cl

Chlorotrifluoromethane

CFC-13

C2FCl5

Pentachlorofluoroethane

CFC-111

C2F2Cl4

Tetrachlorodifluoroethane

CFC-112

C3FCl7

Heptachlorofluoropropane

CFC-211

C3F2Cl6

Hexachlorodifluoropropane

CFC-212

C3F3Cl5

Pentachlorotrifluoropropane

CFC-213

C3F4Cl4

Tetrachlorotetrafluoropropane

CFC-214

C3F5Cl3

Trichloropentafluoropropane

CFC-215

C3F6Cl2

Dichlorohexafluoropropane

CFC-216

C3F7Cl

Chloroheptafluoropropane

CFC-217

 

PART 4
Methyl Chloroform

Chemical Name

Common Name

C2H3Cl3

1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Methyl Chloroform

 

PART 5
Carbon Tetrachloride

 

Chemical Name

Common Name

CCl4

Tetrachloromethane

Carbon Tetrachloride

 

PART 6
Methyl Bromide

 

Chemical Name

Common Name

CH3Br

Bromomethane

Methyl Bromide

 

PART 7
Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)

 

Chemical Name

 

Common Name

CHFBr2

Dibromofluoromethane

---

CHF2Br

Bromodifluoromethane

HBFC-22B1

CH2FBr

Bromofluoromethane

---

C2HFBr4

Tetrabromofluoroethane

---

C2HF2Br3

Tribromodifluoroethane

---

C2HF3Br2

Dibromotrifluoroethane

---

C2HF4Br

Bromotetrafluoroethane

---

C2H2FBr3

Tribromofluoroethane

---

C2H2F2Br2

Dibromodifluoroethane

---

C2H2F3Br

Bromotrifluoroethane

---

C2H3FBr2

Dibromofluoroethane

---

C2H3F2Br

Bromodifluoroethane

---

C2H4FBr

Bromofluoroethane

---

C3HFBr6

Hexabromofluoropropane

---

C3HF2Br5

Pentabromodifluoropropane

---

C3HF3Br4

Tetrabromotrifluoropropane

---

C3HF4Br3

Tribromotetrafluoropropane

---

C3HF5Br2

Dibromopentafluoropropane

---

C3HF6Br

Bromohexafluoropropane

---

C3H2FBr5

Pentabromofluoropropane

---

C3H2F2Br4

Tetrabromodifluoropropane

---

C3H2F3Br3

Tribromotrifluoropropane

---

C3H2F4Br2

Dibromotetrafluoropropane

---

C3H2F5Br

Bromopentafluoropropane

---

C3H3FBr4

Tetrabromofluoropropane

---

C3H3F2Br3

Tribromodifluoropropane

---

C3H3F3Br2

Dibromotrifluoropropane

---

C3H3F4Br

Bromotetrafluoropropane

---

C3H4FBr3

Tribromofluoropropane

---

C3H4F2Br2

Dibromodifluoropropane

---

C3H4F3Br

Bromotrifluoropropane

---

C3H5FBr2

Dibromofluoropropane

---

C3H5F2Br

Bromodifluoropropane

---

C3H6FBr

Bromofluoropropane

---

 

PART 8
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Chemical Name

 

Common Name

CHFCl2

Dichlorofluoromethane

HCFC-21

CHF2Cl

Chlorodifluoromethane

HCFC-22

CH2FCl

Chlorofluoromethane

HCFC-31

C2HFCl4

Tetrachlorofluoroethane

HCFC-121

C2HF2Cl3

Trichlorodifluoroethane

HCFC-122

C2HF3Cl2

Dichlorotrifluoroethane

HCFC-123

C2HF4Cl

Chlorotetrafluoroethane

HCFC-124

C2H2FCl3

Trichlorofluoroethane

HCFC-131

C2H2F2Cl2

Dichlorodifluoroethane

HCFC-132

C2H2F3Cl

Chlorotrifluoroethane

HCFC-133

C2H3FCl2

Dichlorofluoroethane

HCFC-141

C2H3F2Cl

Chlorodifluoroethane

HCFC-142

C2H4FCl

Chlorofluoroethane

HCFC-151

C3HFCl6

Hexachlorofluoropropane

HCFC-221

C3HF2Cl5

Pentachlorodifluoropropane

HCFC-222

C3HF3Cl4

Tetrachlorotrifluoropropane

HCFC-223

C3HF4Cl3

Trichlorotetrafluoropropane

HCFC-224

C3HF5Cl2

Dichloropentafluoropropane

HCFC-225

C3HF6Cl

Chlorohexafluoropropane

HCFC-226

C3H2FCl5

Pentachlorofluoropropane

HCFC-231

C3H2F2Cl4

Tetrachlorodifluoropropane

HCFC-232

C3H2F3Cl3

Trichlorotrifluoropropane

HCFC-233

C3H2F4Cl2

Dichlorotetrafluoropropane

HCFC-234

C3H2F5Cl

Chloropentafluoropropane

HCFC-235

C3H3FCl4

Tetrachlorofluoropropane

HCFC-241

C3H3F2Cl3

Trichlorodifluoropropane

HCFC-242

C3H3F3Cl2

Dichlorotrifluoropropane

HCFC-243

C3H3F4Cl

Chlorotetrafluoropropane

HCFC-244

C3H4FCl3

Trichlorofluoropropane

HCFC-251

C3H4F2Cl2

Dichlorodifluoropropane

HCFC-252

C3H4F3Cl

Chlorotrifluoropropane

HCFC-253

C3H5FCl2

Dichlorofluoropropane

HCFC-261

C3H5F2Cl

Chlorodifluoropropane

HCFC-262

C3H6FCl

Chlorofluoropropane

HCFC-271

 

PART 9
Bromochloromethane (BCM)

Chemical Name

 

Common Name

CH2BrCl

Bromochloromethane

---

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