R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well.
When will the R22 be banned?
Who owns the patent for R12?
What is the remaining 15% of ozone?
Do you have to seal up refrigerant in CA?
Is tetrafluoroethane a hazard?
About this website
Is venting refrigerant illegal?
EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F ) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibit individuals from intentionally venting ozone-depleting substances (ODS) or their substitutes while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment.
What's the penalty for venting refrigerant into the atmosphere?
The penalties for any violations of the Clean Air Act include: Civil fines of up to $44,539 per day per violation (as of 2017) Criminal prosecution in US Federal Court (5 years, or double if it's a second offense) Confiscation of violating substances (refrigerants)
When did it become illegal to vent refrigerants?
INFORMATION CONTACT section. Effective November 15, 1995, section 608(c)(2) of the Act prohibits the knowing venting, release, or disposal of any substitute for CFC and HCFC refrigerants by any person maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air- conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Why is it illegal to release Freon in the air?
Freon is a refrigerant chemical that was widely used in older residential and commercial cooling systems. R-22, the principle component in Freon, has been banned, along with other greenhouse gases, due to evidence that they damage the Earth's ozone layer and contribute to global warming.
Can you go to jail for releasing refrigerant?
USA: A serial air conditioning thief faces up to 15 years in prison after being charged with releasing refrigerant to atmosphere.
Is there a reward for reporting refrigerant venting?
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and state agencies can impose fines or seek damages from polluters and others under a number of different laws, the environmental laws do not generally provide financial rewards for whistleblowers who report violations.
What refrigerant has a venting prohibition exemption?
They are exemptions from the Venting Prohibition. R-134a is an HFC refrigerant and cannot be vented under the Venting Prohibition because it is a non-exempt substitute of CFCs and HCFCs.
Which refrigerant releases is considered a violation of the prohibition on venting?
Effective July 1, 1992, Section 608 of the Act prohibits individuals from knowingly venting ozone-depleting compounds (generally CFCs and HCFCs) used as refrigerants into the atmosphere while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment (appliances).
Can you use 134a in home AC?
R134 is manufactured and sold by DuPont under the trademarked name Suva. The trademark label itself reads: "Refrigerant for Automotive Air Conditioners." It was not designed for use in residential air conditioning systems.
Is it illegal to drain Freon from car?
If Freon must be removed it has to be done with in a shop that has a Freon recovery machine. It is illegal to vent Freon into the atmosphere. Your vehicle will not have freon in the a/c system unless it is very old. Probably has R134A.
How long will R134A be available?
HFC-134a will no longer be approved for use in new light-duty vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States as of model year 2021 as a result of EPA's July 2015 final rule under SNAP (July 20, 2015, 80 FR 42870 ).
Is it illegal to add Freon to a leaking air conditioner?
Section 301 states: No person shall add refrigerant to any motor vehicle air conditioning system unless that system has no detectable leaks. It further requires a visual inspection followed by the use of an electronic leak detector (which meets SAE Standards). Other California AQMDs have passed similar regulations.
What happens if you release refrigerant into the air?
The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ozone depleting refrigerants damage this layer, which results in increased levels of sunburn and skin cancer.
Is it illegal to vent R410A?
You cannot legally vent R410A refrigerant into the atmosphere. Though it does not have high ozone depletion potential, it is a greenhouse gas so it is regulated by the EPA and they say don't vent it into the atmosphere. If you do, then you have violated the Clean Air Act.
Can refrigerant gasses be released into the atmosphere?
Refrigerants leak into the atmosphere from faulty or poorly maintained equipment, or when equipment is improperly disposed of. Only use licensed technicians: A technician who holds a Refrigerant Handling Licence has the training and skills to minimise the emission of these refrigerants to the atmosphere.
Is refrigerant toxic to breathe?
Inhaling refrigerant fumes on purpose to “get high” can be very dangerous. It can be fatal even the very first time you do it. Regularly inhaling high concentrations of Freon can cause conditions such as: breathing difficulty.
Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
made to be sprayed. I'm wondering is there some sort of loophole around the law that they get around with that makes freeze sprays ok to sell
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
Different "trade" I believe, medical inhalers also used to use the same stuff, not sure about now.
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
EPA 608 covers "refrigerants" specifically. Freeze and Release and other similar products (which I have not found to work very well anyway) are using R-134 for another use so they are not governed. Call it a loophole. It is only a matter of time before this use is prohibited.
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
Thanks, I'm wondering why the "Freeze and release" and such products from loctite and CRC don't work well, I too have noticed they really dont make things cold at all really, even though they do have R134a listed on the Material Sheet, I thought R134a had the ability to give you frostbites... But how come freeze and release really doesn't get things that cold to create visible frost even though it has R134a in it? Says it can bring surfaces down to -40 Celcius but from my experience that's a fallacy. Thanks..
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
With regard to medical use it is R134a in the ventolin inhalers, and from what I remember from the F-gas wording this discharge of small quantities of R134a is allowed.
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
More R134a in the propellers for toy guns shooting BB 6m pellets. Free selling in cans up to 1 Kg. Car AC fitters and repair shops can buy it for a fraction of the price of the refrigerant they get from their wholesalers.
Re: Freeze Spray -- Venting R134a Illegal?
Thanks, I'm wondering why the "Freeze and release" and such products from loctite and CRC don't work well, I too have noticed they really dont make things cold at all really, even though they do have R134a listed on the Material Sheet, I thought R134a had the ability to give you frostbites... But how come freeze and release really doesn't get things that cold to create visible frost even though it has R134a in it? Says it can bring surfaces down to -40 Celcius but from my experience that's a fallacy. Thanks..
How are R12 and R22 different?
R12 and R22 are similar, BUT different....#N#Refrigerants:#N#R22 Formula = CHCLF2#N#R12 Formula = CCI2F2#N#Also you use to be able to buy R12 without a license, so a lot of people grew up fixing their own car.#N#To get R22 you have to have a license and most places only sell it in 30lb cyl's now so you need special hoses and meters to install it correctly.#N#And even then most A/C and Heat pumps companies are phasing out R22, all be it very slowly.#N#R134a is not bad for the ozone, O3, as R12 is. But it is still not the best thing to be just letting out. Its still toxic, so the EPA and others don't want you venting out toxic stuff all the time. This rule is mostly for mechanic's and shops, not DIY's. So they are not going to kick in your door and fine you for it, but if I did that all the time as a mechanic then yea they might come after me.
What is the formula for R22?
R22 Formula = CHCLF2. R12 Formula = CCI2F2. Also you use to be able to buy R12 without a license, so a lot of people grew up fixing their own car. To get R22 you have to have a license and most places only sell it in 30lb cyl's now so you need special hoses and meters to install it correctly.
What refrigerant is used for dusting?
But these same kind of refrigerants, including specifically Tetrafluoroethane and Difluoroethane are commonly sold in stores all over and used for dusting off PCs and electronics, with huge amounts being vented indoors, and eventually working their way into the atmosphere.
Is it illegal to make R12 CFC?
It is illegal to Manufacture R12 CFC Ozone depleting refrigerant. If you have it, you can still use it, but you must not release it, or put it in a vehicle that you know has a leak. Your question is R134a, that takes a lot of energy (Power causing greenhouse gas), to make. So if we keep releasing R134a to atmosphere, we have to keep manufacturing more. So it just makes sence to reclaim and recycle it. it's official name is "Green house weighting". R134a Greenhouse weighting is high. the new gas coming soon is R1234yf has a much lower green house weighting.
What oil is used in R134A?
So, along with R134a came a new oil: Polyalkylene Glycol—or PAG oil. Note that there is another kind of oil called Polyol Ester Oil (POE). The advantage of ester oil is that it works with both R12 as well as R134a, so you can fill the system with it and then use either refrigerant.
Can't get R12 anymore?
So when someone says, “You can’t get R12 anymore,” or “It’s illegal to use R12,” those things simply aren’t true. You can get it and use it. Legally. The issue is whether you should. And that brings us to…
What is the replacement for R12?
In the automotive world, the replacement for R12 was tetrafluoroethane, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) branded as R134a. Note that R134a is also sometimes called “Freon,” even labeled as such on the can, so it’s best to be clear and use the names R12 and R134a.
When did the R12 stop being used?
By international agreement in 1987 (the Montreal Protocol), the use and production of CFCs such as R12 began to be phased out, with automobile manufacturers required to stop using it by the end of the 1994 model year.
Is R12 a CFC?
Because of this, in the early 1930s, a new refrigerant based on a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), specifically dichlorodifluoromethane, was developed. It became known as R12 or Freon. When used in refrigerator and A/C systems, R12 cooled incredibly well. And it was safe—neither poisonous to breathe, nor flammable.
Is it illegal to vent refrigerant?
Nevertheless, repeat after me: It is illegal to vent refrigerant. Don’t do it. As I’ve said, R12 is a nasty ozone-destroying chemical and should never be released to the environment under any circumstances, so in addition to being illegal to vent it, you have a moral obligation not to vent it. R134a is not an ozone-destroying agent, but it is a greenhouse gas, and is illegal to vent as well. If you’re resurrecting the A/C in a vintage car, the vast majority of the time the refrigerant has long since leaked out, but if your car has refrigerant in it, and you need to open up the A/C system to work on it, spend a little money and take the car to an A/C shop. Stay on the right side of the law, the environment, and your conscience, and don’t vent refrigerant.
Is it illegal to sell R12?
It’s often said that buying or selling R12 is illegal. That’s not true either. Anyone selling R12 is required to verify that the buyer has an EPA Section 609 certification to work with mobile vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) systems. eBay requires that anyone posting an auction for R12 check that the buyer has that certification, but eBay has no way to enforce it. Certainly no one selling cans of R12 on Craigslist is asking for your EPA 609 card. Also, the EPA 609 certification can be easily obtained by taking an online exam. Note that I am not advocating taking the exam and getting the EPA 609 certification simply so you can legally buy R12; I’m just stating what the law appears to be.
When will the R22 be banned?
Following in the heels of the R12 ban, R22 is scheduled to be ban starting in 2010 and finishing in 2020. R134a has been banned by the EU and I think is scheduled to start in 2007.
Who owns the patent for R12?
The original patent holder for dichlorodiflouromethane (R12) is Thomas Midgley who was then working for the Frigidaire division of General Motors...DuPont has the ownership of the Trademarked name Freon. Yes, the relationship between GM and DuPont is well known and Pierre DuPont was at one time, president of GM.
What is the remaining 15% of ozone?
The remaining 15% is methyl chloride, produced by some sea life. The amount of HCL from natural sources could not outstrip the natural production of Ozone, and therefore could not be responsible for the current depletion. 2. Volcanoes can release aerosoled particulates into the atmosphere.
Do you have to seal up refrigerant in CA?
From what I know here in CA, you are supposed to have an EPA Certified technican recover the refrigerant, and seal up the system. We have to remove the compressors, Weld them shut and weld up the lines.
Is tetrafluoroethane a hazard?
I do agree with the OP though. Tetrafluoroethane is not a hazard to the ozone layer. This is why it is a legal propellant but can't be released as a refrigerant.
