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NewsWhore
11-07-2006, 05:30 PM
The Dominican Republic is doing its bit to help the environment by reporting a 49% decrease in the importation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a gas that contributes to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. Environment Minister Max Puig said that there has been a 13% reduction in the importation of damaging chemicals in 2006 thanks in large part to the quota regulated by the terminal phase-out management plan for the total elimination of all ozone depleting substance, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. The country has also done a good job in complying with the Montreal Protocol, which hopes to stop ozone depletion through regulation of the production, consumption and use of dangerous substances.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted in 1987 as an international treaty to eliminate the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals, with developing countries benefiting from a ten-year grace period.
The 189 signatory countries to the protocol hope to eliminate the use and importation of the gases (completely by 2009, and the DR hopes to do so a year earlier, by 2008. Hoy newspaper reports that the DR was chosen as one of three vice presidents to the 18th Conference of the Montreal Protocol, along with Russia and Pakistan. The event was held in India between the 30 October and 3 November. Puig said that Customs officials have been trained to recognize the toxic chemical and said that a recycling mechanism has been put in place to dispose carefully of the substance.

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