The Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) issued an advisory for the general masses on the World Ozone Day aimed at restricting and phasing out the use of ozone-depleting substances

“Awareness is the only means to control the depletion of the ozone layer and this has made us bring out the advisory in the form of dos and don’ts for the common masses in Jharkhand. We have asked schools and colleges to circulate the advisory among students, parents and the general masses. The eco-clubs and NSS wings of schools and colleges have been asked to actively participate in this exercise,” said JSPCB member secretary Y.K. Das.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed on September 16 designed by the United Nations General Assembly. This designation had been made on December 19, 2000, in commemoration of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer in the stratosphere shields life on earth from the harmful varieties of ultraviolet radiation.

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are chemicals that destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer.

The advisory asks residents to dispose of pre-1995 refrigerators and air conditioning units properly and buy lumber, wood products and plywood that have not been treated with methyl bromide and resort to carpooling, use public transport, prefer walking and driving a hybrid or electric car.

It also urges people to buy air conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HDFC’s (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) as refrigerant, conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent refrigerant leakage, while serving motor vehicle air conditioners make sure that the refrigerants are properly recovered and recycled instead of being vented to atmosphere. It also asks to plant more trees.

It prohibits the use of halogenated hydrocarbon fire extinguishers and instead uses non-ozone-depleting chemical fire extinguishers. It also prohibits buying aerosol products (hairspray, deodorants) with chlorofluorocarbons.

It suggests using vinegar or bicarbonate as cleaning products instead of those that are harmful to the environment and asks to avoid using ozone-depleting fertilizers and putting down on meat consumption and consumption of gases dangerous to the ozone layer.

Tata Steel observed World Ozone Day by organising various programmes across its operating locations in Jharkhand and Odisha.

A webinar was organised in Jamshedpur on the topic ‘Use of Ozone Depleting Substances in Air Conditioners and Tata Steel’s take on effectively phasing down ODS”.

Another enlightening awareness session on the ways to protect the ozone layer was successfully conducted at Jakhapura High School by the environment team of Tata Steel Kalinganagar in Odisha.