Proposed EU Ban on HFC May Take Away White Christmas
New EU environmental laws could ban fake snow and ruin hopes of a white
Christmas ... Novelty aerosols are useful to provide spray-on snow if
the weather fails to produce the right seasonal effects. But they could
become a thing of Christmas past if the proposed ban on
"hydrofluorocarbons"(HFCs) comes into force. HFCs give aerosols "squirt
power" and have gradually replaced other fluorinated gasses which have
been banned because of the threat to the ozone layer. But the Commission
is concerned that, although less harmful to the atmosphere, the granules
in the fake snows and the beads of foamy string that novelty aerosols
contain, could pose a health risk to people. The proposed ban will be
discussed by Euro-MPs in the New Year, but the only alternative is
propane gasses which would in effect turn aerosols in flame-throwers.
Robert Goodwill MEP, Conservative Environment Spokesman in the European
Parliament, said: "...If these new laws go through, there will be no
white Christmases in European homes for the foreseeable future...
Article @ http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2318832

Have a snowless Merry Christmas, everyone !!!

Brian