The Hindu Business Line : `Man-made chemicals are major cause for ozone depletion'

THE one-day workshop on `Protection of the ozone layer,' organised by the CII-Kerala and the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), has called for a holistic approach needed for ozone preservation.

Mr R. Gopichandran, Scientist and Co-ordinator, Industry Initiatives, Centre for Environment Education, said that more than natural reasons of ozone depletion it is the man-made chemicals that accentuates the forward reaction of excessive destruction.

India, he said has definitely made some inroads to measure the level of ozone depletion by having six stations in the country to measure the ozone levels. The country's approach to prevention of ozone layer is based on three-pronged approach of first, placing a ceiling on the level of consumption of the chlorofluoro carbons, then reducing the levels and finally phasing it out.

In his inaugural address, Dr Kamalakshan Kokkal, Principal Scientific Officer, KSCSTE emphasised on the technological conversions needed on the part of industry to keep out ozone depletion.

An ozone cell in the environment department is a step forward in the endeavour to build up more awareness. Although the developing countries have decided to phase out ozone depleting substances by 2050, the idea of ozone preservation requires a holistic approach, he added.

Prof M.K. Prasad, Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad emphasised that although our efforts in elimination of ozone depleting substances has gone beyond what was originally envisaged as part of the Montreal Protocol, there are still challenges to be met.

He pointed out that 50 per cent reduction in the consumption of ozone depleting substances in developing countries by January 1, 2005, phasing out of chlorofluoro carbons used in the medical inhalers for treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, phasing out production and consumption of methyl 1 bromide are the issues that need clarity in thinking and action.

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