EPA Issues Refrigerant Warning
EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), evaluates and regulates refrigerants proposed as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) that are being phased out. Unless a new refrigerant is reviewed and approved by the EPA, it cannot be marketed legally in the United States. Unfortunately, at least one unapproved and potentially dangerous refrigerant called “22a or R-22a” has made it to market as a substitute for HCFC 22 or R-22, a Class II ODS that is being phased out.
According to the EPA, a number of refrigerants with 22a or R-22a in the name contain highly flammable hydrocarbons such as propane and are being marketed to consumers as replacement refrigerants for residential and automotive air conditioners that are not designed to use any flammable refrigerants. Moreover, the EPA has never reviewed or approved any of the products for use in existing air- conditioning systems.
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EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), evaluates and regulates refrigerants proposed as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) that are being phased out. Unless a new refrigerant is reviewed and approved by the EPA, it cannot be marketed legally in the United States. Unfortunately, at least one unapproved and potentially dangerous refrigerant called “22a or R-22a” has made it to market as a substitute for HCFC 22 or R-22, a Class II ODS that is being phased out.
According to the EPA, a number of refrigerants with 22a or R-22a in the name contain highly flammable hydrocarbons such as propane and are being marketed to consumers as replacement refrigerants for residential and automotive air conditioners that are not designed to use any flammable refrigerants. Moreover, the EPA has never reviewed or approved any of the products for use in existing air- conditioning systems.
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Safety data sheets (SDS) for the 22a refrigerants state the products are composed of “liquefied petroleum gas,” a highly flammable, colorless gas that is heavier than air. As a result, if enough of the product is concentrated in one space and the refrigerant comes in contact with an ignition source, it could burn or explode.
Although the EPA has not approved any hydrocarbon refrigerants for use in air conditioners, the Agency has approved several for use in refrigeration systems, including those used in industrial processes and certain new household and retail food refrigerators and freezers. The EPA notes, however, that no hydrocarbon refrigerants have been found acceptable for use in refrigerators that were originally designed to use nonflammable refrigerants.
The EPA provides a list of approved, acceptable substitutes for use in commercial and light commercial air-conditioning units at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/lists/homeac.html. In addition, a list of unacceptable substitute refrigerants is provided at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/lists/unaccept.html.