OZONE DEPLETION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE METAL-FINISHING INDUSTRY .1. BACKGROUND

The recent proof that man-made ozone depleting substances (ODSs) are s eriously damaging the ozone layer, and tile suggestion that they may c ontribute to the global warming phenomenon, has led to the development of international regulatory controls through the Montreal Protocol. T he further tightening of these controls will inevitably result in tile virtual disappearance of these solvents over the next years. In the f ace of rapidly decreasing availability and increasing unit price, many industries are taking a hard look at alternative materials for a rang e of applications. The first part of this paper provides a background to the harmful effects of the ODSs against which the metal finishing i ndustry has to make important decisions regarding their replacements. Part 2 will consider the options available and indicate some of the co nsequential actions being undertaken within the metal finishing indust ry.