The link between ozone depleting substances and skin cancer

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It destroys and replaces normal skin cells and tissues and, in some cases, can spread to other parts of the body. Most skin cancers start in the outer layer of the skin.

What causes skin cancer?

Skin cancer is caused most often by overexposure to the sun and its ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure includes:

• Occasional intense sunlight exposure during childhood that causes severe sunburn and blistering
• Extensive sunlight exposure over many years
• Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as tanning beds or sunlamps

Skin cancer usually affects the head, neck back, chest, shoulders.

How will I know if I have skin cancer? 

• A change in the skin, such as a growth
• An irritation or sore that does not heal
• Change in a wart or mole 

 

The role of the Ozone Layer  

Ozone is a natural susbstance which forms a thin layer known as the ozone layer found in the upper atmosphere. This ozone layer helps to filter UV radiation. Excessive unfiltered UV radiation caused by a damaged layer can lead to skin cancer.

What increases my risk of developing skin cancer? 

• Light skin colour (though persons with dark/pigmented skin are also at risk
• Having skin that freckles easily 
• Frequent, severe sunburns 
• Living in the tropics

 

 How to identify skin cancer?

• Remember the ABCs when checking your moles!
• Asymmetry: half of the mole does not match the shape of the other half
• Border (edges): the edges of the mole are not smooth
• Colour: the colour of the mole is uneven
• Diameter: the mole's diameter (width) is larger than a perncil's eraser
• Evolving: any change in a mole's appearance

 How can cancer be prevented?

• Spend less time in the sun, seek the shade
• When outdoors cover up; use hats, shoes, long pants and long-sleeve shirts
• Protect your eyes with wrap-around UV sunglasses
• Wear sunscreen to block UV-A and UV-B rays with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15
• Avoid UV rays from artificial sources, such as tanning beds or sunlamps
• Children's skin is more sensitive than adults' and sunburn more easily, therefore it should be even more rigorously protected
• Babies under one (1) year old should be kept out of direct sunlight

 

 

Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti Ozone Officers

The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP ROLAC) along with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis hosted the Meeting of the English Speaking Caribbean Ozone Officers held during the period March 18-21, 2013 in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dr. Marissa Gowrie; the National Ozone Officer and Ms. Neera Singh, Ozone Assistant both from the National Ozone Unit (NOU); Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. Representatives from the UNEP OzonAction ROLAC and Paris Office, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and national stakeholders from St. Kitts and Nevis were also present.

The meeting focused on:

• Major decisions coming of the 24th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and the Compliance Status of the Montreal Protocol in the Caribbean Network 
• Major issues addressed in the 23rd Meeting of the Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol
• Recent decisions of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat and the implications for the Caribbean Region
• Certifications and licensing systems  for technicians (case study on a system set up by the Belize Ozone Unit)
• Graduate level course on the Management of Ozone Depleting Substances in progress to be implemented at the University of the West Indies and its benefits to the Caribbean region
• Implementation of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Phase Out Management Plans (HPMPs)

This forum provided a distinct opportunity for the English Speaking Caribbean and Haitian Ozone Officers to share and learn from each others' experiences. 

Training on Alternatives to Methyl Bromide for Pest Control Operators

Methyl Bromide (an ozone depleting substance - ODS) is used in fumigation for pest control. Under the Montreal Protocol, this substance must be phased out by 2015. Therefore, training in the alternatives for fumigation pest control is extremely important. The NOU held training sessions from March 11- 13, 2013 at Premier Quality Services Limited in Trincity Industrial Estate, Macoya.

Training sessions on March 11th and 12th, 2013 were aimed at informing pest controllers on the current alternatives to Methyl Bromide. In addition, a sensitisation session for the Pest Control Sector was also held on Wednesday 13th March, 2013.  This session was geared towards educating pest control companies of fumigation best practices in the industry.  

Mr Anthony Ramdeen (Consultant for the Methyl Bromide Phase Out Project) carrying out the training on the alternatives of Methyl Bromide for fumigation and fumigation best practices.

   

 

Dr.Gowrie  giving an introductory presentation to the pest control operators on the Montreal Protocol and the NOU

Phase out Schedule for Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) from January 1, 2013