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Ozone depletion

The ozone layer is essential to human survival because it filters out harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays from the sun. Ozone depleting substances (ODSs) include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and halons.

CFCs are the main ODS we use - as the propellant gas in metered dose inhalers (MDI) for asthma sufferers. The CFC is released when patients use the inhaler.

In 2004, 464 thousand kilograms of CFC propellant was released when patients used our products in the EU and US. A much smaller amount of CFCs - 59 thousand kilograms - were released during worldwide production. Information on CFC releases is not compiled outside the US and UK where this is not required by regulation. We now offer a selection of alternatives to ODS-containing inhalers in most countries and plan to eliminate the use of ODSs from our product portfolio by 2010. See metered dose inhalers.

Ozone depletion potential from production per unit sales decreased by 67.5% since 2001 - meaning we have exceeded our 2005 target of a 50% reduction per unit sales since 2001.

We also use ODSs in some cooling systems and for other ancillary uses at GSK facilities. We have switched to using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in some cooling systems. HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer but do contribute to global warming. Ozone depletion potential from ancillary use per unit sales decreased by 60.5% since 2001, but the current trend indicates that we may miss our 2005 target to eliminate these emissions. We plan to establish a team in 2005 to develop a business strategy to eliminate ancillary emissions of ODSs.

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