Govt steps up efforts to protect ozone layer

This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.

Tanzania is a signatory, is designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are man-made chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, can cause the depletion of the Ozone Layer.

This leads to increased levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth`s surface, which results in higher rates of skin cancer, eye cataracts and damage to people's immune systems.
It also diminishes the productivity of food crops and reduces levels of plankton in the ocean.

Since 1987 the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer has sought to reverse past damage done to the ozone layer by supporting efforts to eliminate the consumption and production of ODS.

With the financial support of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the Global Environment Facility and bi-lateral donors, UNDP assists developing countries and countries with economies in transition in complying with the Montreal Protocol's control measures.

As earlier said Tanzania is among 193 countries in the world that have ratified the 1986 Montreal Protocol for chemicals which destroy the ozone layer which scientists believe is eroded by an average of 5 per cent per decade.

The harmful chemicals which deplete the ozone layer include chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) and halons which are used in some second-hand technologies such as used refrigerators which are being imported into the country.

chlorofluorocarbons are a class of compounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and flourine, gases used chiefly in refrigerators and aerosol propellants while halons are uncreactive gaseous compounds of carbon with bromine and other halogens, used in fire extinguishers, but now also known to damage the ozone layers.

These chemicals that are being used in the second-hand refrigerators are not advisable and instead we should use new refrigerators with new technology that use non-toxic R 34 gases,” says Mbarak Abdulwakil, Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Vice President's Office (Environment).

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons chemicals are also used in production of other industrial products such as mattresses, air conditioners and also during iron melting. There are also health products with these chemical compounds including air-fresheners and inhalers which are used by asthma patients.

Compliance by Tanzania to the ozone protection protocol has reduced production of harmful chemicals for about 95 per cent as alternative chemicals and technologies are being developed.

There is therefore need on industries and businesses importing the harmful chemicals to use alternative chemicals in production of their products.