The United Nations Environment Program on March 2 released nine reports detailing significant destruction of the Earth's protective ozone shield. UNEP scientists also recommended ways to limit ozone layer loss.
The elimination of methyl bromide, a heavily used agricultural pesticide and fumigant, was cited as a critical control measure.
"The UN reports confirm that the ozone layer is in serious trouble", said Joe Mendelson, director of the Ozone Protection Project at Friends of the Earth. "The good news is that there are ways to stop ozone destruction, including eliminating methyl bromide. It's time to act on the UN's recommendations."
The world's leading atmospheric scientists confirmed that methyl bromide continues to be viewed as a significant ozone-depleting compound. The 226 scientists estimate that bromine, a principle component of methyl bromide, is at least 50 times more destructive to the ozone layer on a per atom basis than chlorine from the better-known chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The report concludes that eliminating human sources of methyl bromide in the year 2001 is the most significant approach to reducing ozone loss over the next several decades.
The UN report also documents record low ozone levels during the past two years, with the Antarctic ozone "holes" of 1992 and 1993 the most severe on record. The report also finds substantial decreases of ozone above the northern hemisphere, with declines of 6% per decade from 1979 to 1994 in winter and spring months.
Previous estimates by UN scientists indicated that methyl bromide is responsible for 5-10% of worldwide ozone depletion — a share expected to increase to 15% by the year 2000. Because of its contribution to ozone loss, methyl bromide will be phased out in the US in the year 2001 under the federal Clean Air Act. There is no international agreement to phase out this pesticide.
Despite the 3000 pages of UN evidence, recently leaked documents detail a concerted industry effort to circumvent the Clean Air Act and prolong the use of methyl bromide. The Methyl Bromide Working Group, a coalition of the pesticide's manufacturers and users, has launched a multimillion dollar effort to stop the planned US phase-out.
In a January 1995 letter to its supporters, the industry group said it intends to change the law which allows the US Environmental Protection Agency to ban methyl bromide. The document also claims that scientists now agree that methyl bromide is not as harmful to the ozone layer as first suspected.
"The Methyl Bromide Working Group is an industry front group that, like tobacco companies, puts corporate profits ahead of human health", said Anne Schonfield of the Methyl Bromide Alternatives Network. "Their outrageous misinformation campaign ignores the international scientific consensus on methyl bromide and uses pseudo-science to trick American farmers and the public about this lethal pesticide."
Increased ultraviolet radiation from ozone depletion can cause increased skin cancer rates, eye cataracts and decreased productivity of marine and agricultural ecosystems. The UN documents indicate that UV-B radiation can suppress human immune systems, interfering with the effectiveness of vaccines.
[From Pesticide Action Network North America Updates Service.]