True or False: Halons were completely phased out by 1994.

Halons, which were widely used as fire extinguishing agents, were indeed phased out in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer. The production and import of halons were significantly reduced, and by 1994, it was effectively prohibited for most uses in developed countries.

The significance of this phase-out is tied to the harmful effect that halons have on the ozone layer, which leads to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. This is a major public health and environmental concern, as increased UV radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues, along with detrimental impacts on ecosystems.

While there may still be some existing stockpiles and allowances for specific critical uses (such as in aviation and certain military applications), the general understanding is that the broad phase-out of halons took place by 1994 for the majority of applications. This aligns with the broader global commitment to environmental protection, substantiating the claim that halons were completely phased out by that year for most uses.