Three Hydrocarbons Exempted From CAA Refrigerant Venting Prohibition

摘要

On May 23, 2014 (79 FR 29682-29691), EPA exempted three hydrocarbons used as substitutes for ozone depleting substances (ODS) from the CAA prohibition on intentionally venting refrigerant substitutes. The three hydrocarbons are approved as ODS substitutes in household refrigerators and freezers and in retail food refrigerators and freezers under EPA's significant new alternatives policy (SNAP) program. The three hydrocarbon ODS substitutes excluded from the CAA venting prohibition are isobutane, R-441A (a mixture of hydrocarbons), and propane. The agency indicates that venting of the three ODS substitutes does not pose a threat to the environment based on the inherent characteristics of the substances, as well as the limited quantities used as ODS substitutes.