Freon Substitutes
Freon -- a registered trademark name for a chlorofluorocarbon compound -- was first introduced in 1931 by DuPont. A colorless, nonflammable liquid, Freon evaporates rapidly when exposed to air and moves upward into the upper atmosphere. The refrigerant poses a significant danger to the Earth's ozone layer. Safer, environmentally friendly alternatives have been developed, and Freon is being gradually phased out, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Significant New Alternatives Policy Program was developed in 1994 to evaluate and regulate substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals such as Freon. The program helps the agency carry out the Clean Air Act treaty signed by more than 190 countries. The Clean Air Act called for the production of Freon to end Dec. 31, 1995. Refrigerants made from hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons have become the two most acceptable substitutes for Freon.
Toxicity
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Hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons do not pose the risk to the ozone layer that Freon does, according to the Work Safe Alberta. Unlike Freon, the substance does not contain chlorine. However, they do pose a significant toxic danger. Work Safe Alberta further states that the number one substitute, HCFC-123, has been shown to cause skin and eye irritation and cause tumors or liver irritation in rats. If a person inadvertently inhales more than 20,000 parts per million, heart damage can occur.
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Transition Considerations
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The toxicity risk of HDVC-123 makes its use questionable in public spaces, institutions and commercial establishments. A strong solvent, it can also damage existing Freon-based equipment. The owner of the equipment must install safety valves and other modifications to make it suitable to transition from Freon to hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons. If the equipment's sealants suffer damage, the substance can leak out and pose a health risk. When using Freon substitutes, greater worker safety must be taken into consideration. The worker will need a respirator to protect against possible accidental inhalation.
Automobile Substitutes
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Acceptable automobile refrigerant substitutes for Freon are: R-134a, R-744, HCFC-22, R-406A and R-420A. Hydrocarbon refrigerant cannot be used in an automobile's existing air-conditioning unit if it was manufactured to contain Freon, according to the EPA. An automobile must undergo retrofitting to convert from Freon to an environmentally friendly substitute. The original Freon refrigerant must be safely removed prior to using a new refrigerant.
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References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: What You Should Know About Refrigerants When Purchasing or Repairing a Residential A/C System or Heat Pump
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Questions and Answers on Alternative Refrigerants
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet
- Work Safe Alberta: Health and Safety Issues Associated with the Refrigerant HCFC-123 (R-123)
- U.S. Environmental Agency: Choosing and Using Alternative Refrigerants for Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning
Resources
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