While initiatives are taken across the globe tolessen ozone depletion, Indian textile industry is attempting to be on the ballby becoming CTC free by the end of 2009.


Carbon tetrachloride (CTC) is a substance which is mainlyused in textile industries for its high solvency power, low cost, and noninflammable nature. CTC is popular for cleaning applications, and is mainlyused in textile industries for stain removing functions.


All solvents apart from water are toxic in nature, withvariations in the degree of toxicity. CTC has serious and adverse effects bothto humans and the environment. Impacts of CTC occur in human beings byinhaling, and absorption of the material by skin. Inhaling the toxic substancecan account for 60% of health hazard, while ingestion causes 10% damage, andskin and eye affliction can cause 30% harm. Most of the people involved intousing these substances are not even aware of its perils. Unfavorableconsequences might be kidney and liver disorders, and other cancerous ailments.


CTC is a green house gas having significant contribution toglobal warming. It not only disturbs the human immune system, but also affects thefauna and flora as well. Besides this, it impedes the growth of agriculturalcrops, and other vegetation. This toxic chemical can also disturb theactivities in the upper ocean layer which play a crucial role in maintainingthe equilibrium of the marine ecosystem.


The best alternative is to switch over to water baseddetergents, and other alternatives which do not harm the ozone layer. Adequatedistance should be kept between the worker, and the work done with suchchemicals. Appropriate ventilation should be provided to remove harmful vapors.Health protective equipments such as masks, goggles, and hard net gloves shouldbe provided to the workers. Workers should be given proper training to handlethese toxic substances, and proper awareness should be created among themregarding the risk factors.


Averting the use of CTC:


It is estimated that every year, the Indian Textile Industryconsumes more than 1500 tons of CTC for cleaning, removing stains fromapparels, degreasing of metal parts, and machinery, and for servicing garmentmaking machinery.


India is one among the 193 countries that are signatory to the MontrealProtocol on Substances, a treaty for phasing out production of ozone depletingsubstances. Training programmes are launched to phase out the usage of carbon tetrachloride from the textile industry. Its main initiative is to disseminate thehazards of using CTC, its impact in the ozone layer causing irreversible damageto both mankind and the environment. Efforts are taken to stop the usage ofCTC completely, by the end of 2009.


The Ozone Cell in the Union Ministry of Environment andForests co-ordinates for phasing out the use of CTC. Regulatory frameworks andplans are formulated at the national level to ensure avoiding the usage of thechemical.


Phasing out the usage of CTC would tremendously help in therecovery of the ozone layer with a positive effect on the health hazards posedby the chemical.


References:


  1. 'CTC to be phased out by yearend', The New Indian Express, June 19, 2009, &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(2213)%>" target="_blank">http://www.ctc-phaseout.org
  2. &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(2213)%>" target="_blank">http://www.thehindu.com