GABORONE - Batswana have been urged to stop using Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) by the end of the year in line with the obligations of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The ozone is an airborne chemical that causes both adverse and beneficial health effects.

In the lower atmosphere (breathing level), ozone causes adverse health problems to the eye, throat and lungs while in the upper atmosphere (approximately 10 kilometres up) ozone provides a beneficial protective shield to block harmful radiation from the sun.

Consequently, the ozone depleting substances are chemical substances that deplete ozone in the upper atmosphere and include refrigerants (Freon), fire suppression agents (halon), and cleaning solvents such as R-113, TCA and carbon tetrachloride).

A news release from the National Ozone Unit explains that Botswana signed the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone on the 4th of December 1991 and the London and Copenhagen Amendments to the Montreal Protocol on the 13th of May 1997.

Further, the release highlights that Botswana has had obligations under the protocol for the 1999 freeze, 2000-50% reduction and the 2007-85% reduction and now to totally stop using these chemicals by 31st December 2009.

The purpose of the release is to alert the public and industries of this obligation. To achieve this, the release says that the Department of Meteorological Services, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technishe Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the National Ozone Unit have developed a programme of action and invite various stakeholders including the public to ensure Botswana complies.

The objective of the terminal phase out programme is to achieve the implementation of the regulatory framework for facilitating control and monitoring of the trade and movement of ODSs and building capacity among customs officers on how to identify, control, monitor and handle matters concerning trade in ODSs.

The release further highlights that ozone depleting substances deplete the upper atmospheric ozone protective shield which protects humans, animals and plants from harmful high energy radiation.

On other issues, the release maintains that increased skin cancer and plant and animal damage could result if increased levels of radiation penetrate the surface of the earth. Going forward, the country has appointed a four contact person consisting of Messrs Balisi Gopolang, Shane Seaman, Tholego Dithebe and Isaac Pitso.BOPA