What You Can Do To Help Make The World More `Ozone Friendly`

September 01, 1991|By John Javna, (copyright) 1991, John Javna, Universal Press Syndicate.


What can we do about it? One important step could be to become an ``ozone activist``-that is, educate retailers about the chemicals that cause ozone depletion and help them make the decision to get ozone-depleting products off their shelves.

The ozone destroyers:

- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are among the most damaging ozone depleters, and Americans are the world`s heaviest CFC consumers. We use six times more CFCs than the global average.

CFCs are most commonly used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners. But they`re also in foam insulation, foam packaging, aerosol dust removers and other products. Many polystyrene foam products are made with modified CFCs, called HCFCs. These are less damaging-but they`re still ozone depleters.

- Methyl chloroform (also called 1,1,1 trichloroethane), used as a solvent, is weaker than CFCs but is used in greater quantities. It`s found in many home products, particularly in aerosol cans-even ones that say ``ozone friendly`` on the label.

- Halon-a potent ozone depleter-is used in fire extinguishers.

- Carbon tetrachloride (also called TCA) is a poisonous, non-flammable, colorless liquid typically used by chemical companies to make other chemicals. - Freon is made of CFCs. It`s often labeled on packages as R-1 or R-2. It`s sold in cans at auto supply stores.

What you can do:

1. Find out about the ozone layer. The guides listed here are excellent sources.

2. Ozone depleters have several aliases; try to learn them all.

3. Make a list of ozone-damaging products and take it shopping. Pick stores you shop at often. As a regular customer, your opinion carries weight. Grocery, hardware, auto supply and stereo stores sell products containing ozone-depleting compounds.

4. Compare your list to the products the store carries.


If you want to communicate directly with manufacturers, check the labels of the ozone-depleting products for names and addresses. Let manufacturers know you won`t buy their products again until they`re really ``ozone friendly.``

For more information:

- ``Saving the Ozone Layer: A Citizen Action Guide,`` The Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 W. 20th St., New York, N.Y. 10011. (Also available from NRDC: ``Public Enemy 1,1,1,`` a detailed list of products containing this ozone-depleting compound; $15.95.)

- ``Protecting the Ozone Layer: What You Can Do,`` Environmental Defense Fund, 257 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010. A citizen`s guide to reducing the use of ozone-depleting chemicals.

- Background information and fact sheets on ozone-depleting compounds:



