New UN study aims to curb use of ozone-depleting halons

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced the release of a new publication designed to inform developing countries about how other nations have successfully stopped using ozone-depleting halons to extinguish fires.

In "Eliminating Dependency on Halons: Case Studies," UNEP helps countries to both ensure effective fire protection and comply with the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by phasing out halons, which are very effective in putting out fires.

The publication includes descriptions of alternatives used in different sectors (aviation, electronic facilities, military), an account of how Poland organized a network of stakeholders and institutions to steer the halon phase out, and information on the experience of specific organizations - such as NASA - in different aspects of halon management.

Halons were the first ozone-depleting substance to be phased out in industrialized countries under the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Although halon production ceased in those countries by 1994, nearly 26,000 tonnes of the substance continue to be produced in developing countries and approximately 30,000 tonnes are consumed worldwide, according to figures from 1999.

To make the publication widely accessible, UNEP has posted it free-of-charge on the OzonAction Programme's website at http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction.html.