What
is the HIC?
The
Halon Information Clearinghouse is one of a number of activities
in the English-speaking Caribbean that are aimed at assisting
the countries of the region with the smooth and effective phase-out
of halon.
The
Clearinghouse provides a link between companies in the region
interested in purchasing recycled or reclaimed halon with others
wishing to sell it. You will also find information on the efforts
being made in the region and around the world, to gradually eliminate
their consumption of halon. Finally, the Clearinghouse includes
links to other halon sites world-wide for relevant and up-to-date
information on halon alternatives, halon recovery, recycling and
reclamation, as well as other halon-related issues.
Back
to Top
What
are halons?
Halons
are a group of bromine containing, hydrogen-free compounds that
are used primarily for fire-fighting. The most widely used halons,
both worldwide and in the English-Speaking Caribbean, are known
as halon 1211 and halon 1301. Halon 1211 is used in portable fire
extinguishers, while halon 1301 is used in fixed fire extinguishing
systems.
Back
to Top
Why
phase out halon usage?
Halons
as a group are highly destructive of the ozone layer, which protects
us from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. The bromine
in halon molecules is released through the photochemical decomposition
of the parent compound, in a similar fashion to the release of
chlorine from chlorofluorocarbons (the more familiar CFCs). The
bromine thus released from halons can also catalyse the destruction
of ozone molecules. The end result of ozone destruction has been
the thinning of the ozone layer, the formation of the "ozone
hole" over Antarctica, and an overall increase in the levels
of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface.
Both
of the two common halons in use in the English-speaking Caribbean
have high ozone-depleting potentials - a measure of the destructive
power of the halon molecule. Halon 1211 has an ozone-depleting
potential (ODP) of 3, which means that it is three times more
damaging to the ozone layer as CFC-11 (used as the reference point
for assigning ODPs). Halon 1301, the other common halon in use
in the region, has an ODP of 10.
Over
the last two decades, concerted efforts by the global community
have reduced the levels of ozone depleting substances of all kinds,
including halons, and achieving a marked improvement in the levels
of ozone in the ozone layer.
Back
to Top
What
can I do if I want to trade in used halons?
Review
the Database. First, review the Database and see what kinds
and amounts of halon are available for trade. If you wish to buy,
and contact information is provided on the database, you can contact
the person directly.
Contact
the HIC managers. If there is no direct contact information
provided on the database, you may contact the HIC managers who
will then be able to act as the liaison between buyer and seller.
If you have used halon to trade, you can have that information
added to the database. Simply send a message indicating the type,
amount and storage conditions of the halon that you have available
to trade. The information will be added to the database, which
can then be viewed by others.
Check
the UNEP On-Line Halon Trader. Consider establishing an account
with the UNEP On-Line Halon Trader. This international halon trading
site provides their members with a way to find out about the possibilities
for buying and selling halon globally. The Halon Trader website
is updated regularly, and would provide you with a wider market
for your used halon. In a short time, the Halon Trader website
will also have a regional section, which would house information
about halons available for trade in the Caribbean.
Back
to Top
