EPA proposes CFC alternatives policy, ozone levels drop
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP), under which EPA will manage use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) substitutes. EPA also proposed a preliminary list of acceptable and unacceptable uses of CFC substitutes. Under SNAP, manufacturers or importers must notify EPA of the intent to sell, use, or distribute substitutes 90 days before introducing them into interstate commerce, and provide EPA with health and safety studies. EPA will determine eligibility for specific uses based on flammability, chemical toxicity, costs, global warming potential, and environmental and occupational exposures. Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b was targeted by EPA for restrictions in some applications involving polyurethane foams and solvent systems. Acceptable HCFC-141b uses include foams for insulation and flotation rigid polyurethane. HCFC-141b makers say the rule making does not come as a surprise. Elf Atochem says it has been working with EPA on the alternatives policy for the past two years and has steered away from unacceptable uses. Allied-Signal also says it has considered the limitations. Even while EPA plotted the management of CFC substitutes, there was further bad news on the stratospheric ozone layer. Government scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) say global ozone levels were 2%-3% lower in the second half of 1992 than at any previous time and that mid-latitudes Northern Hemisphere levels dropped 13%-14% below normal in January. Separately, NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory researchers report satellite measurements finding chlorine monoxide-a key villain in ozone destruction-in alarmingly high levels in the Arctic stratosphere. The NSA/JPL measurements-which had not been done before-are [open quote]very sobering[close quotes], says Joe Waters, a JPL scientist.
- OSTI ID:
- 6477724
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Week; (United States), Vol. 152:17; ISSN 0009-272X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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