DENR Region XI

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) encourages the substitution of halon-containing fire extinguishers, suppressors, and fire-fighting paraphernalia with transitional substances, otherwise known as Ozone-Friendly Substances (OFS). This is pursuant to the country’s commitment to phase-out the consumption of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The ozone layer serves as the sunscreen of the Earth. It absorbs the harmful ultraviolet (UV) raise from the sun. According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) the depletion of the ozone layer begins when the ODS and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are emitted into the atmosphere. Winds are the efficient agent that mixes these gases and distribute them for further reactions. The strong UV light breaks apart the molecules of ODS. As a result chlorine atoms, and halons and methyl bromide are released and from these gases, bromide atoms are further emitted. These atoms are the ones that destroy the ozone, not the intact molecules of ODS itself.

In 1970s, a dramatic loss of ozone layer was first observed by a group of researchers from British Antartic Survey (BAS). Moreover, Australia has a high rate of skin cancer incidences, with 1,200 people dying form the disease (www.theozonewhole.com). Australia has higher UV radiation level than Europe. This is attributed to Australia’s proximity to the ozone hole over Antartic, thus higher level of UV radiation penetrating to the ground level.

The US EPA and Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) provided the list of accepted substitutes that are available in the country. These are as follows:

Lastly, Excelta Trading Corporation is the recognized entity to recover halon, under the Handover Protocol for the Halon Management Program (PH1/95/G.64)of the government, signed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Philippine Government, and the Excelta trading Corporation on September 18, 2000.(Jenny Lynn Carigma, DENR, XI, Apprentice)