Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are being developed to replace
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) for use
primarily in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. HFCs are the
next generation of refrigerants. They will substantially replace all the
CFCs and HCFCs, since they do not have ozone-depletion potential.
Under section 608 of the Clean Air Act, it has been illegal since
November 15, 1995, to knowingly vent substitutes for CFC and HCFC
refrigerants during the maintenance, service, repair and disposal of
air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. On June 11, 1998, EPA
proposed a regulation to fully implement this statutory venting
prohibition.
In brief, the proposed regulations would:
- Exempt certain substitute refrigerants from the venting prohibition;
- Extend to HFC and PFC refrigerants the requirements currently in
place for CFC and HCFC refrigerants, including required practices,
certification programs for recovery/recycling equipment, reclaimers, and
technicians, a prohibition on the sale of refrigerant to anyone but
certified technicians, leak repair requirements, and safe disposal
requirements;
- Make minor changes to the required practices, recovery equipment
standards, and refrigerant purity standards for CFCs and HCFCs to
accommodate the addition of the HFC and PFC refrigerants; and lower the
maximum allowable leak rates for comfort cooling chillers, commercial
refrigeration, and industrial process refrigeration. The new maximum
allowable leak rates would apply to equipment containing CFCs, HCFCs,
HFCs, and PFCs.
Section 608 directly prohibits the venting of substitute refrigerants
during the maintenance, service, repair, and disposal of air-conditioning
and refrigeration equipment unless EPA determines that the release of the
substitute does not pose a threat to the environment. EPA is considering a
number of factors in making this determination, including the substitute's
toxicity, flammability, long-term environmental impact (such as global
warming potential), and regulation under other authorities (such as OSHA
or other EPA requirements). Based on these considerations, the following
refrigerants are subject to the venting prohibition, and EPA is proposing
to cover them under the regulations:
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
EPA is proposing to exempt the following refrigerants from the
venting prohibition:
- Ammonia that is used in absorption systems or in commercial or
industrial process refrigeration systems
- Hydrocarbons that are used in industrial process refrigeration
systems for processing hydrocarbons
- Chlorine that is used in industrial process refrigeration systems
for processing chlorine or chlorine compounds
- CO2, nitrogen, and water
This proposed exemption applies only to applications of these
refrigerants that have been approved under EPA's Significant New
Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. The applicability of recycling
requirements to these substitutes in other applications (e.g.,
hydrocarbons in household refrigerators) will be considered when the
substitutes in those applications are submitted for SNAP review.
It may be dangerous to use CFC and HCFC recovery equipment to recover
ammonia, hydrocarbons, or chlorine. However, users of hydrocarbon,
ammonia, and pure chlorine refrigerants must continue to comply with all
other applicable federal, state, and local restrictions on emissions of
these substances.
As is the case for CFC and HCFC refrigerants, only four types of
releases of HFCs and PFCs are permitted under the prohibition:
- "De minimis" quantities of refrigerant released in the course of
making good faith attempts to recapture and recycle or safely dispose of
refrigerant.
- Refrigerants emitted in the course of normal operation of
air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment such as from mechanical
purging and leaks.
- Releases of HFCs and PFCs that are not used as refrigerants (note
that heat transfer fluids are considered refrigerants).
- Small releases of refrigerant that result from purging hoses or from
connecting or disconnecting hoses to charge or service appliances.
More information on permitted releases may be found in the
"Final Rule Summary: Complying with the Section 608 Refrigerant Recycling
Rule," which can be obtained from the Stratospheric Ozone Protection Hotline
at (800) 296-1996 or at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/608fact.html
