| Montreal Protocol 1987 in a Nutshell |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Friday, 13 March 2009 | |
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Officially called the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, or Montreal Protocol 1987, for short, the international treaty is aimed at lessening the harm to the stratospheric ozone layer by air pollutants, among them refrigerant gases. The ozone layer shields the earth from detrimental UV-B radiation. If damage to the ozone layer continues, it will cause increased cases of skin cancer, ruin crops and harm marine phytoplankton.
Officially called the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, or Montreal Protocol 1987, for short, the international treaty is aimed at lessening the harm to the stratospheric ozone layer by air pollutants, among them refrigerant gases. The ozone layer shields the earth from detrimental UV-B radiation. If damage to the ozone layer continues, it will cause increased cases of skin cancer, ruin crops and harm marine phytoplankton. Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform were identified in Montreal Protocol 1987. The year 2000 was established to limit the production and use of these substances because they deplete the ozone layer. Other substances, in particular hydrochlorofluorocarbons, are set to be phased out because they cause global warming. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons can be found in refrigerants, solvents, fire extinguishers and the making of plastic foam. Banning substances that harm the environment was first implemented internationally through the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer agreement. That treaty ended in 1985 and Montreal Protocol 1987 replaced it. However, Montreal Protocol 1987 was amended in 1990 and then again in 1992. The changes included an extension of the 2000 phase out deadline. The new amendments allowed developed countries to continue the production of chlorofluorocarbons up to 15% of their 1986 baseline. This new directive was necessary because developing countries needed chlorofluorocarbons for vital items, including medical devices. However, the new directives required developing countries to phase out chlorofluorocarbons and carbon tetrachloride by 2010 and methyl chloroform by 2015. The revised Montreal Protocol 1987 currently calls for developed countries, such as the United States, to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons according to the following schedule: 35% reduction in 2004; 65% reduction in 2010; 90% reduction in 2015; 99.5% reduction in 2020; and 100% phase out in 2030. The agreement calls for 0.5% to be allowable in order to service existing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. For developing countries, 2040 is the deadline for a complete phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons. When setting guidelines to eliminate ozone depleting substances, Montreal Protocol 1987 analyzed scientific, environmental, technical and economic data. Currently, a variety of information is being examined to find improved alternatives to replace ozone depleting substances for refrigeration, agriculture, energy production and laboratory measurements. One major part of Montreal Protocol 1987 is its monitoring and reporting requirements. This means facilities have to take steps and document them to show how they are monitoring harmful substances. Verisae is a top company that focuses on refrigerant management programs. These programs help businesses and industries comply with the law. A valuable tool is the Refrigerant Tracker from Verisae that makes certain the required forms are submitted to meet compliance requirements. Thanks to the efforts of facilities to date, ozone depleting substances are already on the decline. As such, Montreal Protocol 1987 is ahead of schedule in meeting its goals. However, companies and industries that fail to comply with the protocols under the agreement will remain closely watched. Currently Montreal Protocol 1987 has been ratified by 194 of the 196 United Nations member states. The ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050 if Montreal Protocol 1987 is followed fully. Because of the progress so far, the protocol is viewed as the most successful international agreement. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has a lot more information on the importance of good refrigerant gas management and the importance of the Montreal Protocol 1987. |
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