Cleaning Up the Ozone File
Description
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Protocol) is a notable environmental success story. Established in 1987, the Protocol addressed the substantial and ongoing damage to the ozone layer caused by the decades-long release of a number of halogenated synthetic chemicals, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These chemicals were being used in a variety of industrial and commercial products, including aerosols, solvents, sterilizing agents, fire extinguishing equipment, air conditioners, and refrigeration and cooling equipment. By acting in concert via the Protocol, the world’s governments reduced the quantity of ozone depleting substances being released. Although the ozone layer’s recovery is only beginning, scientists predict a return to pre-industrial levels by the middle of the 21st century.
| CFCs, Halons, HCFCs, and HFCs |
|---|
| Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons were the first recognized ozone depleting substances. CFCs have commonly been used in refrigeration equipment and air conditioners, as propellants in aerosol cans, as a blowing agent in the manufacture of foam, and as a cleaning solvent and a sterilant. Halons have been widely used in fire extinguishers.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are derived from CFCs. Their use is allowed as an interim measure as they are less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the favoured replacement for HCFCs; they do no damage to the ozone layer. However, all are potent greenhouse gases. |
Ontario has done its part. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) amended the Environmental Protection Act in 1990, adding Part VI, “Ozone Depleting Substances.” This amendment provided MOE with the authority to regulate the eight most common Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs), as well as any other ODS that might be designated in the future. Five original regulations were made under Part VI, each dealing with a specific type of ODS (e.g., halons).
MOE tidied up its ODS file in late 2010 by consolidating the five regulations under one new one: O. Reg. 463/10 – Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbons. The consolidated regulation also includes new restrictions regarding fire-extinguishing equipment. The changes prohibit the refilling of portable fire extinguishers with halon (aircraft and military uses exempted) and provide owners of fixed fire-extinguishing equipment with one halon refill by 2015, after which the equipment must be modified or replaced with a non-halon-using alternative within one year. As of January 1, 2016, no refills will be permitted.
Implications of the Decision
The consolidation of all five ODS regulations into one comprehensive regulation will make compliance easier. The new halon restrictions will also help bring that aspect of MOE’s ODS requirements closer to harmonization with the National Action Plan (NAP) for the Environmental Control of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) and their Halocarbon Alternatives, first published in January 1998 by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and last updated and amended in 2001.
In terms of refrigerants, however, MOE’s ODS program is still not in full harmony with the NAP, which called for a staged refill ban on all sizes of commercial refrigeration units, beginning with small units in 2004 and ending with large industrial units (>30 horsepower) in 2006. Ontario’s regulation only deals with the larger units, banning their use as of January 1, 2012. Environment Canada has stated that the stock of CFCs still in use in refrigeration units of all types and sizes represents a significant potential source of ODS leaks.
ECO Comment
The consolidation of five regulations into one updated version is beneficial, as are the new halon restrictions. Also, the ECO commends the ministry for standing firm on the industry request for an extension of the deadline date for larger stationary refrigeration equipment. As the deadline had been promoted widely since 2007, moving it back would have been a regressive step.
The new regulation, however, leaves some business unfinished. First, a prohibition on the refilling of smaller stationary refrigeration equipment should be addressed soon. Second, the ECO encourages the ministry to monitor the issue of the global warming potential of refrigeration alternatives not specified in the regulation and to formally address these if their use increases in the future.
For a more detailed review of this decision, please refer to Section 4.8 of the Supplement to this Annual Report. For ministry comments, please see Appendix C.
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| This is an article from the 2010/11 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2011. "Cleaning Up the Ozone File." Engaging Solutions, ECO Annual Report, 2010/11. Toronto: The Queen's Printer for Ontario. 100-101.
