OREANDA-NEWS. The oil, the pumping of which via the Druzhba pipeline was suspended in April due to an excess of organochlorine compounds, contained carbon tetrachloride, the distribution of which is controlled by international agreement. This was reported by Reuters with reference to the results of three examinations, to which the agency gained access.

Carbon tetrachloride is a toxic ozone-depleting substance that was previously used as a filler for hand-held and stationary fire extinguishers and as a solvent. Its production fell sharply after the entry into force in 1989 of the Montreal Protocol on the restriction of the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. According to the protocol, governments of ratifying countries are responsible for controlling the production of certain chemicals.

According to the agency, analyzes of oil samples were carried out in one of the Moscow chemical laboratories for the Ministry of Energy and Transneft, the pipeline operator. They showed that the feed was 85% contaminated with carbon tetrachloride.