They also make postings to trade bulletin boards. Chinese CFCs and halons were involved in the largest smuggling case of ozone- depleting substances to occur in Europe. Sometimes containers are mislabeled as legal. In some countries even this deception isn't needed. And if a pressure reading is the only check that is made, the cylinder passes.
Profit is the driving force behind smuggling.
Since some of the chemicals that are still widely sought have been banned from production in industrialized countries, production in certain developing countries has soared. Schwarcz suggests one of the reasons the funds may not be forthcoming is that some politicians realize ozone holes may be easier to deal with than bullet holes. Jack Dini is a scientist and environmental writer in Livermore, California. For more information . Return to November 2000 contents .