TNPSC Thervupettagam

Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) -141 b

January 24 , 2020 1758 days 1015 0
  • India has successfully achieved the complete phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) - 141 b.
  • It is a chemical used by foam manufacturers.
  • It is used mainly as a blowing agent in the production of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams.
  • It is one of the most potent ozone depleting chemicals after Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
  • The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) also brought out a Gazette notification prohibiting the issuance of import license for HCFC-141b from 1 January 2020.
  • It was issued under Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2019 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • Nearly, 50% of the consumption of ozone depleting chemicals in the country was attributable to HCFC-141 b in the foam sector.
  • Polyurethane is used in applications such as water geysers, refrigerators, thermo wares, furniture appliance, commercial refrigeration.
  • The complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from the country in foam sector is among the first at this scale in Article 5 parties (developing countries) under the Montreal Protocol.
  • The phase out of HCFC-141b from the country has twin environmental benefits, viz, assisting the healing of the stratospheric ozone layer, and towards climate change mitigation.

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