Our Primary Areas of Focus
Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are chlorinated, fluorinated or brominated hydrocarbons that have the potential to react with ozone molecules in the stratosphere.
They are grouped/defined as: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); Halons; Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs); Bromochloromethane; 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform); Carbon tetrachloride; Methyl bromide.
ODS may be used as:
- Refrigerants
- Blowing Agents
- Cleaning Solvents
- Propellants
- Sterilants
- Fumigants
- Fire Extinguishers
- Feed stock and process agents
- Solvents in laboratories
In Barbados, ODS are most commonly used as...
The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Sector in Barbados
Refrigeration and Cold Chain
The refrigeration sector includes applications in the domestic, commercial, industrial and mobile/transport sub-sectors. These applications support food preservation during transport storage and display, commercial activities such as cooling of beverages, ice manufacturing and industrial processes such as the production of dairy-related products and beer.
The local Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC market) is currently classified under six (6) applications as described below:
The domestic sector comprises mainly domestic refrigerators and freezers and the main alternative used in this sector is HFC-134a. There may be significant potential for increased uptake of the natural refrigerant HC-600a which is ozone and climate friendly and energy efficient. Equipment with HC-600a is already present in the local market and is available in some brands of household refrigerators as well as small display freezers that are used by businesses.
The commercial sector includes equipment ranging from small “plug-in” vending machines to display cabinets, food service coolers and large supermarket rack and cold storage systems. The main ODS alternatives used include HFC-134a, and blends such as R-404A, R-407A and R-410A. Additionally, there is also a shift occurring to refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) for example R290 and R600a, and it is anticipated that enhanced uptake of these ozone friendly, low GWP and energy efficient refrigerants would be realised on the local RAC market.
Industrial refrigeration in Barbados includes but is not limited to the production of beer and dairy-related products. There is also ice production to support the fishing industry. The main ODS alternatives currently used include HFC-134a, and blends such as R-404A, R-407A and R-410A.
There are some refrigeration applications in the transport sector to support distribution of frozen foods such as meats, fish and dairy products. The main ODS alternatives used mobile/transport refrigeration include HFC-134a, and refrigerant blends such as R-404A, R-407A and R-410.
Domestic air conditioning applications include the cooling of homes, rooms, small offices and other small spaces that house equipment requiring controlled atmospheric conditions. Commercial and industrial air conditioning involves systems used for cooling large buildings including those that house heat producing equipment (e.g. computers). The gases used may include HFC-134a, R-407C, R-410A, R-507A. It is important to note that R290 is being sold locally, which suggests that there may be R290 AC units installed in the country in addition to those already installed and utilised at the SJPI for training purposes.
The Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) sector involves a wide range of vehicles such as cars; SUVs, 4x4s, trucks, larger passenger vehicles such as coaches, buses, maxi taxis and minibuses; and other vehicles used in transportation. The main refrigerant gas used in this MAC sector is HFC-134a. However, in recent years it has been observed by the Ozone Programme that some hybrid vehicles as well as electric vehicles utilise the Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerant R1234yf. Similarly, these observations have also been confirmed by reports from local MAC technicians.
Methyl Bromide as a Fumigant for QPS
Methyl bromide (MB) is a colourless, odourless gas used as a fumigant to control a wide variety of pests in agriculture and shipping, including insects, rodents, nematodes, fungi and weeds. Due to its rapid dissipation into to the atmosphere, it is most dangerous at the fumigation site. Human exposure to high concentrations of MB can cause central nervous system and respiratory system failures and can harm the lungs, eyes, and skin. In the atmosphere, methyl bromide depletes the ozone layer and by so doing contributes to increased levels of ultraviolet radiation (UV) reaching the earth’s surface.
In Barbados, the importation of MB for any purpose other than for Quarantine and Pre-shipment (QPS) is prohibited. Importantly, only the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security or its Agent is permitted to import MB for QPS purposes. In the Montreal Protocol context, ‘Quarantine’ applications refer to treatments to prevent the introduction, establishment and/or spread of quarantine pests (including diseases), or to ensure their official control and ‘Pre-shipment’ applications refer to those treatments applied directly preceding and in relation to export, to meet the phytosanitary or sanitary requirements of the importing country or existing phytosanitary or sanitary requirements of the exporting country.
It is important to note that both chemical and non-chemical alternatives to MB exist for non-QPS and QPS purposes as appropriate. In most cases, these alternatives can manage the pests previously controlled with MB. While MB alternatives have been successfully introduced for non-QPS uses, the Government of Barbados continues to work towards finding appropriate effective MB alternatives for QPS. In the interim, efforts are made to minimise emissions of methyl bromide through containment.
