Ozone Problem Not Gone Away

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> OZONE PROBLEM NOT GONE AWAY: EFFECTS WORSE


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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> OZONE PROBLEM NOT GONE AWAY: EFFECTS WORSE
 
BRUSSELS, 14 March 1995 (GP) New studies reconfirm that the
environmental effect of ozone layer destruction from man-made
chemicals will lead to skin cancer, a breakdown in the immune
system, and possible loss of up to 7 million tonnes of fish a
year, Greenpeace said today.
 
The latest information on the environmental and human health
effects of ozone destruction is outlined in a report by the
United Nations Environment Programme:  "Environmental Effects of
Ozone Depletion:  1994 Assessment".
 
The co-chair of the report and Scientist at the University
Hospital of Utrecht's Institute of Dermatology, Professor Jan C
Van Der Leun, today joined Greenpeace in Brussels to outline the
main findings of the report.
 
"Even if all countries hold to the latest international
agreements on chemical phaseouts, we will still see noticeable
effects on humans and the environment from ozone thinning," said
Professor van der Leun. 
 
Key findings of the report include:
 
* skin cancer is believed to have risen already due to ozone
depletion, and is expected to rise by 25% by 2050 in mid-
latitudes such as western Europe;
* exposure to increase ultraviolet-b radiation from increased
ozone depletion may make the human immune system tolerate rather
than fight off an infection, which could seriously compromise
vaccination programmes;
* There is further evidence that sunscreens are not effective in
preventing immuno-suppression caused by increased UV-B
* A 16% ozone depletion and its effect on phytoplankton at the
bottom of the marine food chain would lead to a loss of about
seven million tonnes of fish a year; the 16% depletion could also
adversely affect the ability of shrimp, crabs and other animals
to reproduce;
* ozone destruction produces more ground-level ozone and could
also lead to increased problems with acid rain. 
 
In the face of the new findings, Greenpeace is touring Europe to
demonstrate that alternatives to ozone depleting HCFCs and global
warming HFCs do exist, and challenging one of the largest
industrial users of the gases -- supermarkets -- to switch to the
new technology. Greenpeace has built a fully operational
demonstration supermarket refrigerated with propane and flo-ice. 
The technology contained in the truck could be used by
supermarkets and industry across  Europe. Indeed, Luxembourg has
already adopted a ban on these chemicals and its industries have
made the switch.   
 
This week marks the second anniversary of the launch of the
"Greenfreeze," the ozone and climate friendly refrigeration
technology developed by Greenpeace in association with a former
East German company.  The technology, used in the truck touring
Europe, has now been adopted by Europe's largest domestic
refrigeration manufacturers. 
 
In Luxembourg, industry is now using ozone-friendly chemicals,
despite claims that it is not possible. The 1990 ban has already
led steel mills (air conditioning), supermarkets (refrigeration)
and hotels to adopt more friendly technologies. 
 
"There is now absolutely no doubt that ozone destruction will
continue to wreak havoc on human beings, animals and the
environment.  In waiting until 2015 to phase out HCFCs, the EU
has singularly failed to act when the solutions to the problem
are here," said Corin Millais of Greenpeace.  "The EU should
follow Luxembourg's example and ban the chemicals now."   
 
ENDS
 
For information:  
Greenpeace Belgium Filipe Verbolen ph 32 2 215 1944 or 
Cindy Baxter Greenpeace Communications ++44 171 833 0600.
 
A summary of the UNEP report, and Luxembourg's legislation are
available from Greenpeace.