Illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances is thriving
Illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances (ods) is rising despite the deadline for zero production and consumption of such chemicals drawing closer. These are the findings of a survey conducted by Environment Investigation Agency (eia), a uk-based lobby group. The eia survey particularly reports about the trends in the illegal trade of chlorofluorocarbons -- one of the 95 chemicals that need to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol to save the ozone layer.
The eia researchers found that Singapore and Dubai were major conduits for routing the chemicals to countries like South Africa and the us. "The trade is mainly growing in developing countries, and the reason is related to basic principles of economics," said Ezra Clark, a senior campaigner and investigator of eia. "As the phase-out schedule for ODS progresses, legitimate supply decreases and the market prices shoot up. This offers incentives to smuggle more," he explained.
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