June 06, 2005
Conservation Minister Stan Struthers has announced new measures to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in aging commercial-refrigeration, air-conditioning and fire-suppressant equipment in Manitoba that will further protect the ozone layer.
The announcement was made as part of Manitoba’s Environment Week celebrations and to take action to shield the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
“The proposed changes to Manitoba’s Ozone Depleting Substances regulation will bring Manitoba in line with Canada’s National Action Plan on ODS and Their Halocarbon Alternatives and will ensure Manitoba’s air-conditioning and refrigeration sectors operate under the same requirements as in other provinces,” said Struthers.
The regulatory changes will:
Require sellers of ozone-depleting substances and other halocarbons to take back and properly manage these substances.
Eliminate the use of ODS that are harmful to the ozone layer by prohibiting owners or operators from refilling equipment with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) including mobile (automobile) air conditioners, mobile refrigeration units, commercial refrigeration and air conditioning, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems containing halons.
Establish the same handling requirements for the recovery and recycling of ODS replacement products, the hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) used in newer air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Require the use of refillable containers to handle all ozone-depleting substances and their replacement products.
“Eliminating the use of ODS is an important environmental issue,” said Struthers. “These proposed regulatory changes will help to accelerate the phase-out of CFCs and halons, and will ensure the safe collection and disposal of surplus stocks of these substances.”
Once released, a single chlorine atom from a CFC molecule can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules which protect the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
The Manitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association (MOPIA), Manitoba’s industry stakeholder association, joined Struthers in acknowledging the importance of these new measures.
“Industry is already taking steps to phase out the use of ODS in Manitoba and regulation is needed to support the transition of using alternative substances that are less harmful to the environment, but can contribute to global warming if released to the atmosphere,” said MOPIA president Don Thomson.
“Stronger controls to prevent the release and eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances are needed to protect the global environment and the future health of our children,” said Struthers.
The proposed regulation amendments and background information are available for review and comment on Manitoba Conservation’s website until June 30 at http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention/ods.
- 30 -