Methyl Bromide Sensitisation Training

The National Ozone Unit held two sessions of Methyl Bromide Awareness Training for the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Food Production, Housing, Land and Marine Affairs, Trade, Industry and Investment and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago who deal specifically with plant quarantine and fumigation.  

The sessions were facilitated by Mr. Anthony Ramdeen (Consultant for the Methyl Bromide Phase-Out Project) and Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) on March 23, 2012 and May 18, 2012 at the El Socorro Office of the Ministry of Housing and the Environment (now Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources). 

The purpose of the training was to increase the awareness of various stakeholder groups on the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Methyl Bromide, their usage and the alternatives available.  

Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer) addressing the participants

Mr. Anthony Ramdeen, Project Consultant, demonstrating fumigant 

detection equipment to the participants

Ozone Awareness at ABS

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) continues its education of the air-conditioning and refrigeration sector on the Montreal Protocol and the impending phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) scheduled to begin in January 2013, through its lectures and outreach activities. 

The NOU most recently conducted training and awareness raising at Abel Building Solutions (ABS) at its Mount Hope Offices for the entire engineering department including senior staff, technical professionals and procurement officers.

Attendees were informed about the phase out targets for HCFC as well as the elements of the HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) which include equipment provision, further training in good refrigeration practices, retrofitting of equipment, and the establishment of a certification programme for technicians.  

To learn more about ABS, you can visit the company's website.

From L-R: Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Officer), Mr. Adam Sabga (General Manager; ABS ) and Mr. Winfield Clamens (one of the founders the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association)

NOU partners with NIHERST

The National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is partnering with the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) of Trinidad and Tobago to embark upon an educational and public awareness drive about the ozone layer. The aim of this activity is to disseminate knowledge to the public through the NIHERST National Science Centre on ozone friendly practices, the effects of ozone depletion and sun safety. 

Our National Ozone Officer, Dr Marissa Gowrie along with Ozone Assistant Ms Neera Singh, expect that an interactive way to present the information will be developed so that kids of all ages can get a chance to discover and understand the hole in the ozone layer, how it was formed and how it can heal. 

During peak times, the National Science Centre has over 300 students visiting the displays, which provides a valuable opportunity for the NOU to get their message across. The Centre has also agreed to partner with the NOU during their grand display to commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol in September 2012. 

To learn more about the National Science Centre, you may visit their national website or their link on Facebook.

Above right: Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer presenting a representative of NIHERST with educational material on the ozone layer.

Training Sessions on Ozone Depleting Substances and Servicing Practices for the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector

The National Ozone Unit within the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), recently embarked on the distribution of 16 Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) recovery units and tanks to technicians and service companies in the Air Condition and Refrigeration Industry as well as, to schools that teach this discipline.

Two of these schools agreed to host one-day training sessions to ensure that the recovery units are used in a safe and responsible manner and that Ozone Depleting HCFC Gases are not vented into the atmosphere.  Lectures were given by the National Ozone Unit to kick-off the training sessions, on Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of appropriate practices in servicing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment and the protection of the Ozone Layer.

Locations:  National Energy Skills Centre (NESC), Point Lisas – January 24, 2012 and School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste – February 2, 2012

Facilitator:  Mr Vernon Ramjattan

Lecture:  Ozone Depleting Substances and the importance of proper practices in servicing refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment to protect the Ozone Layer – Dr. Marissa Gowrie (Deputy Environmental Manager of the EPPD/National Ozone Officer).

Purpose:  Training on the safe and responsible use of the recovery machines distributed to ensure that no ozone depleting refrigerant gases are vented into the atmosphere.

Dr. Marissa Gowrie (National Ozone Unit Officer) and Technicians next to a recovery training model (including HCFC recovery Unit and tank) at the School Of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Palmiste.

 

Dr Gowrie lecturing at the NESC, Pt. Lisas