China has decided to ban the use of tetrachloride carbon as a
detergent nationwide as from June 1 as part of its substantial
effort to protect the ozone layer.
Enterprises, environmental protection and other related units who
violate the rules and regulations issued in the circular from the
State Environmental Protection Administration on the termination of
the chlorinated compound will be subject to harsh penalties.
The ozone layer, a layer of the stratosphere 11-48 km above the
earth's surface, has the highest concentration of ozone molecules,
which effectively protect organisms on earth by absorbing
high-energy solar ultraviolet radiation.
Since 1999, China has been gradually reducing its production of
ozone-unfriendly fluorin and chlorinated compounds to show its
resolve to protect the ozone layer.
In
1991, China became a signatory to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on the
cessation of the use of ozonosphere-unfriendly chemicals. The
country also drew up a plan in 1999 to phase out the production and
consumption of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and gradually shut down the
related businesses.
(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2003)