India to seek alternative for CFC-based MDI
After successfully phasing out ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) from air-conditioners, refrigerators and hairsprays, India is facing the next critical challenge of phasing out CFC-containing metered dose inhalers (MDIs), used by asthma and bronchitis patients. When the world agreed on the Montreal Protocol in 1992, CFCs in asthma inhalers were the last ones left for phase-out, as these were considered an essential drug. All countries had agreed to 2010 as the deadline for a 100 per cent CFC-free world.


India along with countries like China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh says it cannot meet the deadline unless conditions are made easier for the requisite technology transfer. For India, with an estimated 22-25 million asthma and bronchitis patients dependent on inhalers, the change to non-CFC alternatives will be expensive and difficult. Till date, neither economically viable nor well-adaptable technology has been evolved nor suitable guidelines for financial support for developing countries have been developed to meet the incremental cost of phase-out of CFC in the inhaler sector, said Mr. A. Raja, Minister of Environment and Forests.


In India, Cipla is the only company that has developed a non-CFC version for two formulations. Imported inhalers, after a lengthy approval and registration process, are expected to cost nearly Rs 150 (US$3.40) more than CFC-based ones.


The guidelines of the Multilateral Fund, the mechanism that facilitates phase-outs, for approving projects do not allow funds for projects relating to companies set up post-1995. In the developing world, however, most of the industries that manufacture inhalers were set up after 1995. India is now working with UNDP to prepare a strategy for the transition to CFC-free inhalers. For now, all developing countries are on one side of the table, and Indian and 12 of these countries are meeting in Sri Lanka in December 2006 to develop a regional strategy to address this issue.


Website: www.indianexpress.com
No early replacement of AC coaches in the Railways
There will be no premature replacement of AC coaches in the Indian Railways as a result of Montreal Protocol, said Mr. R. Velu, Minister of State for Railways. Indian Railways have got about 4,200 coaches at present, out of which 780 AC coaches manufactured before 1994 have R-12 refrigerant. In 1994, Indian Railways had switched over to manufacturing AC coaches with environment-friendly refrigerants.


R-12 refrigerant has to be phased out by 2010. About 300 coaches out of 780 would complete their service life by year 2010 and will be phased out in normal course. The balance 480 coaches will be converted by the year 2010 with an environmentally friendly gas. Work is this direction has already been taken up.


Website: www.pib.nic.in 
ODS phase-out by ITC Ltd.
India, one of the signatories to Montreal Protocol, has formulated rules and committed a schedule to phase out ODS production and use in India. In consonance with this, ITC Limited has adopted guidelines for CFC phase-out.


ITC guidelines require that:
 
  • All newly purchased equipment is free of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), methyl chloroform (MCF) and Halons.
     
  • Units should monitor and reduce consumption of ODS.
     
  • Units should plan replacement of all the affected existing equipment well before ODS Rules deadlines.
     
  • ODS should be recovered from all the replaced equipment for recycling or safe disposal.
    ITCs Corporate Environmental Health and Safety Department audits the implementation of these guidelines in all the units. Total consumption of ODS (CFC-11 equivalent) in 2005-06 was 198 kg, down 72.3 per cent from 716 kg last year.
     

Website: www.itcportal.com