Ozone-depleting substance in abundance in RI: Official<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The country is home to a large amount of an
\nozone-depleting substance which is even more harmful than the
\nmore commonly known chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), an environment
\nofficial said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Deputy to the state minister of environment Aca Sugandhy said
\nalmost 1,000 tons of halon were stored in the country.<\/p>\n
He said halons were six times to 10 times more destructive to
\nthe ozone layer than CFCs, a coolant commonly used in
\nrefrigerators and air conditioners, and as a propellant in
\naerosol sprays.<\/p>\n
Despite information labels on consumer products, awareness of
\nthe environmental benefits of using non-CFC products remains low
\nin the country.<\/p>\n
Aca was unable to state the tolerable level of halon use, but
\nsaid there remained no alternative substance to its use in some
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
"There is still no substitute, especially in aircraft and some
\nmedical uses," Aca said.<\/p>\n
Halons, such as halon 1302 (bromotrifluoromethane) and halon
\n1211 (bromochlorodifluoromethane), are commonly used as fire
\nextinguishing substances in aircraft engines, auxiliary power
\nunits, cargo cabins and aircraft toilets.<\/p>\n
Halons are also used as a propellant in medicated sprays for
\npeople with asthma.<\/p>\n
The immediate solution, Aca said, was the management of the
\nhalon substance by a specially designated institution.<\/p>\n
Aca was representing the ministry in a ceremony marking the
\nagreement between the ministry and PT Garuda Indonesia, which
\nappointed the company to manage the newly founded National Halon
\nBank.<\/p>\n
"PT Garuda is chosen because the company is the biggest user
\nof halons and has the most adequate facility," Aca told The
\nJakarta Post of the company, which runs the national airline and
\naircraft maintenance services.<\/p>\n
The country continues to phase out ozone-depleting substances
\nin line with its 1992 ratification of the Montreal Protocol.<\/p>\n
The protocol is an international agreement founded in 1987
\nthat established rules on prohibition and special usages of
\nsubstances harmful to the ozone layer.<\/p>\n
As the manager of the halon bank, Garuda will be responsible
\nfor supplying halons and monitoring its usage among industries.<\/p>\n
The World Bank has given the company a grant of US$484,000 to
\nsupport the operation.<\/p>\n
Beside PT Garuda Indonesia, the state oil and gas company
\nPertamina and state electricity company PT PLN are also
\nreportedly large users of halon.<\/p>\n
The Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund, set up to help
\ncountries phase out harmful substances, approved late last year
\nsome $940 million for projects to phase out consumption of some
\n122,000 tons and production of 42,000 CFCs and halons in 177
\ndeveloping nations. (08)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ozone-depleting-substance-in-abundance-in-ri-official-1447893297",
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