India sees hidden agenda in UN report on brown cloud..........[Times - October 2002]

New Delhi: India rejected a UN agency’s report terming the aerosol layer observed over the Indian Ocean as “Asian brown cloud, an ecological hazard”, saying that there was hidden agenda behind the report to divert public attention from carbon dioxide emissions in the developed countries.

Announcing the constitution of an expert committee to examine the Un Environment Programme report, officials of the Indian Meteorological Department have indicated the possible role of the “oil and gas lobby” behind the development since the report had projected carbon soot as the main culprit for the layer.

“In 1999, the layer that was seen over the Indian Ocean was called aerosol layer, it then became a haze and of late, the UNEP report has termed it brown cloud,” additional director-general of the IMD S.K. Srivastava said.

“Names have been changed for advantage. Besides, what was observed was during a one-year study in Male. Will the layer continue? There is no scientific explanation for that,” Mr. Srivastava said, adding that many countries had not signed the Kyoto Protocol, which necessitates curtailing of carbon dioxide emissions.

The aim of the report appeared to give the message that soot was the most damaging to the environment while carbon dioxide was not.

Developing countries had invested billions of dollars in technologies to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) with other gases, as necessitated by the Montreal Protocol, Mr. Srivastava said, adding that it had now been found that these alternatives were also ozone depleting. Billions of dollars would again be needed to further change the technology, he said.

The observations on the aerosol layer were made during a study called Indoex in the winter and spring of 1999 by Indian and foreign scientists.

The experiments found carbon aerosols in the lower atmosphere originating from biomass burning. The results were extrapolated to adjacent oceanic areas.

Mr. Srivastava said that the UNEP report had extrapolated the observations to land area and other seasons, which was “scientifically incorrect”.

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INVENTIONS / NEW PRODUCTS

Ozone-friendly
CFC-12 alternative


Navin-Fluorine Industries, India, offeres Mafron HFC-134a as an ideal replacement for CFC-12. This product is 99.98 per cent pure and has a moisture content less than 8 ppm. For the domestic market, Mafron HFC-134 a is available in returnable pack sizes of 10 kg, 65 kg, 410 kg and 800 kg. It is increasingly being used by refrigrator, Visicooler and car manufacturers. 

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ODS PHASE-OUT 
IN INDIA

Registration of ODS
Manufacturers and users


A notification issued under the ODS (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, has stipulated that dealers, procedures, users engaged in the manufacture / use of ODS such as CFCs, HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride (CTC), halon, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, etc. are required to compulsorily register before 19 July 2002. Complete details are listed in the table below:

 

ODS rules and registration forms can be obtained either from the Ozone Cell New Delhi or the Director, Small Industries Service Institute of the region. They are also available on the website of the Ministry of Environent and Forests 
(http://envfor.inc.in).

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ODS PHASE - OUT IN INDIA ..........[Nov-Dec 2001]

"Green" refrigerators

Godrej Appliances Ltd. is working on a project to provide totally green and eco-friendly refrigerators in order to meet statutory obligations on ozone layer protection. The company plans to invest around US$ 13.5 million for switching over to non-CFC gases that safeguard oxygen molecules and protect the ozone layer. The company's three plants, with a total annual capacity of 1.5 million refrigerators, will be made 100 per cent ozone-friendly in the next two years.
(TERI Newswire, 1-15 September 2001)

Registration of ODS consumers

The Central Government offered financial assistance for ODS phase-out projects, under the recently promulgated Ozone Rules 2000, to industries that registered before 19 July 2001. As part of the production sector phase-out, and with funding provided under the Multilateral Fund, industries using ODS that were established before July 1995 were eligible. Under the new Ozone Rules, state governments are required to identify both the industries using ODS and service enterprises engaged in this sector. The Ozone Cell will help them in obtaining ODS-free technologies, equipment and training.

Contact: Mr. C. Vishwanath,
Director, Ozone Cell, Ministry of Environment and Forests,
India. E-mail: ozone@del3.vsnl.net.in
(Ozone Action Newsletter, No.39, August 2001)

The Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol enters into force

New controls and trade rules on chemicals that can damage the ozone layer, the Earth's protective shield, are to come into force in the New Year. It follows the ratification by more than 20 governments of the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.

The new controls mean that nations will gain a better understanding of the precise quantities of this substance being used and manufactured around the globe.

The amendment, which was adopted at the Eleventh Meeting of Parties in Beijing on 3 December 1999 and which is now due to enter into force on 25 February 2002, also brings in new trade rules for Hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs). Website: http://www.unepie.org/ozonaction

AEROSOLS ..........[Sep-Oct 2001]

FDA issues approvable letter for asthma drug

Forest Laboratories Inc., the United States, has received an approvable letter from the FDA for Flunisolide HFA. The drug, intended for treating asthma, is a hydrofluoroalkane formulated inhaled corticosteriod that uses a new non-CFC propellant and a built-in spacer.
Website: www.pharmacyandtherapeutic.com

Substitute for aerosol blowtorch technology

Cortec Corp., the United States, has developed new, safe rust preventatives with the same handy convenience of spray can application. Without the limitations of aerosol technology, the new EcoAir* VCI 377 provides three times better rust protection. It eliminates potential fire hazards with a water-based, biodegradable formulation that acts like a fire extinguisher in the presence of a flame. The non-inflammable formulation can be stored anywhere and shopped safely by air. It provides twice the protection offered by leading rust preventative lubricants.

Cortec's VCI* patented technology delivers corrosion protection for hard-to-reach areas such as cavities and voids. On drying, it forms a thin, clear film and requires no removal, clean-up or hazardous disposal. By providing short-and long-term protection for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the product allows users to work with one rust preventative coating for all their protection needs. Contact: Ms. Anna Vignetti, Cortec Corp., the United States.
E-mail: info@cortecvci.com
Website: www.cortecvci.com

HFA modulite technology

Chiesi Pharmaceuticals Inc., the United States, has developed Modulite* technology to overcome problems faced while replacing CFCs with hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs). A key factor is the different solubility of the active compounds used in new propellants, which may impede the development of stable formulations offering the same aerosol performance features as CFC formulations. Modulite technology facilitates development of formulations in a solution comprising the active drug, HFA propellant, a co-solvent and a non-volatile compound capable of modulating the aerodynamic diameter of the particles (MMAD) and the related portion that reaches the bronchopulmonary tract (FPD). This technology is particularly flexible as it allows the dimensions and / or density of the particles to be modified, giving rise to products with optimal MMAD and FPD values. It can be used to formulate MDIs based on different active drugs such as b2-agonists (short-and long-acting), corticosteroids, anticholinergics and combination products. The technology can also be developed to improve the efficiency of current MDI's or to develop new formulations characterized by high pulmonary absorption or exclusively topical effects.

Contact: Mr. Bruce Thompson, Managing Director,
Chiesi Pharmaceuticals Inc., United States of America.
Tel: +1 (802) 6588 811
Fax: +1 (802) 6586 824
E-mail: bthompson@chiesiusa.com
Or
Mr.Bruno Pagliara, Corporate Development
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A Italy.
Tel: +39 (521) 279 230
Fax: +39 (521) 279 507
E-mail: b.pagliara@chiesigroup.com
Website: www.chiesigroup.com

New inhaler for children

3M Pharmaceuticals has approached the United States FDA for the latter's approval to use QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) inhalation aerosol for children aged between 5 to 11 years. QVAR is currently marketed for the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. QVAR is the first CFC-free MDI designed to deliver smaller-particle-sized medication to the large, intermediate and small airways. This distribution of drug to the lungs result in improved asthma control. Moreover, QVAR provides comparable asthma control at a lower dose than many conventional CFC-containing corticosteroid inhalers. Additionally, the small particle size reduces the accumulation of drug in the throat and mouth which may lead to less local oral side effects than other inhalers.

Clinical trials involving 1,238 children in the age group of 5-11 years have already been concluded. Additional trials are under way to evaluate the effectiveness of QVAR given once daily and comparing QVAR with other inhaled corticosteroids, such as fluticasone proipionate. However QVAR is not a bronchodilator and is not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm.
Website: www.biz.yahoo.com

Patent accorded to aerosol formulation technology

Aeropharm Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. based in the United States, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent augmenting its proprietary inhalation drug-delivery platforms. This patent covers a broad aerosol formulation methodology applicable to a wide range of medications using eco-friendly propellants in pressurized MDIs. The newly issued patent involves the innovative use of water, normally avoided in aerosol formulations, as a stabilizing excipient. The company is presently using this technology in formulations for lung delivery of a steroid for asthma and a protein for treating a major metabolic disease.

Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a fully integrated speciality pharmaceutical company engaged in developing and commercializing proprietary prescription pharmaceutical products, primarily for the treatment of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The company currently markets Niaspan* - its internally developed, proprietary; once-daily nizcin formulation for the treatment of cholesterol disorders- and Mavik* and Tarka * - two anti-hypertensives - under a co-marketing arrangement with Abbott Laboratories Inc. Kos has drug delivery capabilities in both solid-dose and aerosolized formulation technologies.
Website: www.biz.yahoo.com

Inventory of Trade names of chemical products containing Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and their Alternatives

The inventory contains a worldwide list of the commercial trade name
of chemical products containing ODS controlled under the Montreal
Protocol, the name of the producer, the chemical composition and (where applicable) ASHRAE; designation and indication of whether product has been discontinued.

Designed for use by NOUs and customs officials to assist with controlling imports and exports of ODS and preventing illegal trade.

This version includes 192 chemical products manufactured by 116 producers located in 22 countries.
http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction