Protection of Stratospheric Ozone

[Federal Register: January 13, 1995]
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 82
[FRL-5139-7]

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of acceptability.

SUMMARY: This notice expands the list of acceptable substitutes for
ozone depleting substances (ODSs) under the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)
program. SNAP implements section 612 of the amended Clean Air Act of
1990 which requires EPA to evaluate substitutes for the ODSs, and
regulate the use of substitutes where other alternatives exist that
reduce overall risk to human health and the environment. Through these
evaluations, SNAP generates lists of acceptable and unacceptable
substitutes for each of the major industrial use sectors.
On March 18, 1994, EPA promulgated its plan for administering the
SNAP program, and issued decisions on the acceptability and
unacceptability of a number of substitutes (59 FR 13044). In today's
Notice, EPA issues decisions on the acceptability of substitutes not
previously reviewed by the Agency. The intended effect of this action
is to expedite movement away from ozone depleting compounds. To arrive
at determinations on the acceptability of substitutes, the Agency
completed a cross-media sector end-use screening assessment of risks to
human health and the environment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Information relevant to this notice is contained in Air
Docket A-91-42, Central Docket Section, South Conference Room 4, U.S.
Environmental Agency, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460.
Telephone: (202) 260-7548. The docket may be inspected between 8 a.m.
and 5:30 p.m. weekdays. As provided in 40 CFR part 2, a reasonable fee
may be charged for photocopying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Levy at (202) 233-9727 or fax
(202) 233-9577, U.S. EPA, Stratospheric Protection Division, 401 M
Street, SW., Mail Code 6205J, Washington, DC 20460.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Overview of This Action

This action is divided into six sections, including this overview:

I. Overview of This Notice
II. Section 612 Program
A. Statutory Requirements
B. Regulatory History
III. Listing of Acceptable Substitutes
IV. Listing of Substitutes Pending Review
V. Additional Information
Appendix A Summary of Acceptable and Pending Decisions

II. Section 612 Program

A. Statutory Requirements

Section 612 of the Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to develop a
program for evaluating alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. EPA
is referring to this program as the Significant New Alternatives Policy
(SNAP) program. The major provisions of section 612 are:
Rulemaking--Section 612(c) requires EPA to promulgate rules making
it unlawful to replace any class I (chlorofluorocarbon, halon, carbon
tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, and
hydrobromofluorocarbon) or class II (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) substance
with any substitute that the Administrator determines may present
adverse effects to human health or the environment where the
Administrator has identified an alternative that (1) reduces the
overall risk to human health and the environment, and (2) is currently
or potentially available.
Listing of Unacceptable/Acceptable Substitutes--Section 612(c) also
requires EPA to publish a list of the substitutes unacceptable for
specific uses. EPA must publish a corresponding list of acceptable
alternatives for specific uses.
Petition Process--Section 612(d) grants the right to any person to
petition EPA to add a substance to or delete a substance from the lists
published in accordance with section 612(c). The Agency has 90 days to
grant or deny a petition. Where the Agency grants the petition, EPA
must publish the revised lists within an additional 6 months.
90-day Notification--Section 612(e) requires EPA to require any
person who produces a chemical substitute for a class I substance to
notify the Agency not less than 90 days before new or existing
chemicals are introduced into interstate commerce for significant new
uses as substitutes for a class I substance. The producer must also
provide the Agency with the producer's unpublished health and safety
studies on such substitutes.
Outreach--Section 612(b)(1) states that the Administrator shall
seek to maximize the use of federal research facilities and resources
to assist users of class I and II substances in identifying and
developing alternatives to the use of such substances in key commercial
applications.
Clearinghouse--Section 612(b)(4) requires the Agency to set up a
public clearinghouse of alternative chemicals, product substitutes, and
alternative manufacturing processes that are available for products and
manufacturing processes which use class I and II substances.

B. Regulatory History

On March 18, 1994, EPA published the Final Rulemaking (FRM) (59 FR
13044) which described the process for administering the SNAP program
and issued EPA's first acceptability lists for substitutes in the major
industrial use sectors. These sectors include: refrigeration and air
conditioning; foam blowing; solvent cleaning; fire suppression and
explosion protection; sterilants; aerosols; adhesives, coatings and
inks; and tobacco expansion. These sectors compose the principal
industrial sectors that historically consumed the largest volumes of
ozone-depleting compounds.
As described in the final rule for the SNAP program (59 FR 13044),
EPA does not believe that rulemaking procedures are required to list
alternatives as acceptable with no limitations. Such listings do not
impose any sanction, nor do they remove any prior license to use a
substance. Consequently, EPA is adding substances to the list of
acceptable alternatives without first requesting comment on new
listings.
EPA does, however, believe that notice-and-comment rulemaking is
required to place any substance on the list of prohibited substitutes,
to list a substance as acceptable only under certain conditions, to
list substances as acceptable only for certain uses, or to remove a
substance from either the list of prohibited or acceptable substitutes.
Updates to these lists are published as separate notices of rulemaking
in the Federal Register.
The Agency defines a ``substitute'' as any chemical, product
substitute, or alternative manufacturing process, whether existing or
new, that could replace a class I or class II substance. Anyone who
produces a substitute must provide the Agency with health and safety
studies on the substitute at least 90 days before introducing it into
interstate commerce for significant new use as an alternative. This
requirement applies to substitute manufacturers, but
[[Page 3319]]
may include importers, formulators or end-users, when they are
responsible for introducing a substitute into commerce.Since the
SNAP FRM, EPA has published a Notice listing acceptable alternatives on
August 26, 1994 and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking restricting the use
of certain substitutes on September 26, 1994.

III. Listing of Acceptable Substitutes

This section presents EPA's most recent acceptable listing
decisions for class I substitutes in the following industrial sectors:
refrigerants and air conditioning, foam blowing, solvent cleaning, fire
suppression and explosion protection; sterilants; aerosols; adhesives,
coatings and inks. These decisions represent substitutes not previously
reviewed in the final rulemaking for SNAP (59 FR 13044; March 18, 1994)
and, consequently, add to the lists of acceptable substitutes under
SNAP. For copies of the full list, contact the EPA Stratospheric
Protection Hotline at the number listed in Section V of this Notice.
Parts A through D below present a detailed discussion of the
substitute listing determinations by major use sector. Tables
summarizing listing decisions in this Notice are in Appendix A. The
comments contained in Appendix A provide additional information on a
substitute, but like the listings themselves, are not regulatory in
nature. Thus, adherence to recommendations in the comments are not
mandatory for use of a substitute. In addition, the comments should not
be considered comprehensive with respect to other legal obligations
pertaining to the use of the substitute. However, EPA encourages users
of acceptable substitutes to apply all comments to their use of these
substitutes. In many instances, the comments simply allude to sound
operating practices that have already been identified in existing
industry and/or building-code standards. Thus, many of the comments, if
adopted, would not require significant changes in existing operating
practices for the affected industry.

A. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Please refer to the final SNAP rule for detailed information
pertaining to the designation of end-uses, additional requirements
imposed under sections 608 and 609, and other information related to
the use of alternative refrigerants.

R-401A and R-401B
R-401A and R-401B, which consist of HCFC-22, HFC-152a, and HCFC-
124, are acceptable as substitutes for CFC-11, CFC-12, R-500, and R-502
in the following end-uses:
<bullet> New and Retrofitted Reciprocating Chillers.
<bullet> New Industrial Process Refrigeration.
<bullet> New Cold Storage Warehouses.
<bullet> New Refrigerated Transport.
<bullet> New Retail Food Refrigeration.
<bullet> New Commercial Ice Machines.
<bullet> New Vending Machines.
<bullet> New Water Coolers.
<bullet> New Household Refrigerators.
<bullet> New Household Freezers.
<bullet> New Residential Dehumidifiers.
Please note that different temperature regimes may affect the
applicability of these substitutes within these end-uses.
Two of the constituents in these blends are HCFCs and thus
contribute to ozone depletion; HCFC production will be phased out
according to the accelerated schedule. While the GWP of HCFC-22 is
somewhat high, refrigerant leak regulations should reduce its
contribution to global warming. The GWPs of the other components are
low. Although these blends do contain one flammable constituent, HFC-
152a, the blends themselves are not flammable. In addition, each blend
is a near azeotrope, and it does not fractionate in normal operation.
Finally, leak testing of each blend demonstrated that while the vapor
and liquid compositions changed, neither phase became flammable.
Testing of these blends with centrifugal compressors is inadequate, and
therefore such use is not recommended by the manufacturer. Further
testing may resolve this uncertainty.
CO<INF>2
CO<INF>2 is acceptable as follows:
<bullet> As a substitute for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in Very Low
Temperature Refrigeration, Retrofit and New.
<bullet> As a substitute for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in
Industrial Process Refrigeration, Retrofit and New.
<bullet> As a substitute for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, and
CFC-115 in Non-mechanical Heat Transfer, Retrofit and New.
CO<INF>2 was historically used in refrigeration systems. It is a
well-known, nontoxic, nonflammable gas. Its GWP is defined as 1, and
all other GWPs are indexed to it. Since it is readily available as a
waste gas, no additional chemical will need to be produced. Thus, the
use of CO<INF>2 as a refrigerant will not contribute to global warming.
CO<INF>2's usefulness is limited to temperatures above -70 deg.F.
HCFC-22
HCFC-22 is acceptable as a substitute for R-400(60/40) and CFC-114
in New Industrial Process Air Conditioning.
EPA recommends that HCFC-22 only be used where ambient temperatures
are lower than 115 deg.F because of very high system pressures.
HCFC-22 has been used in a variety of air conditioning and
refrigeration applications for many years. HCFC-22 contributes to ozone
depletion and is considered a transitional alternative. HCFC-22
production will be phased out according to the accelerated phaseout
schedule. HCFC-22's GWP and atmospheric lifetime are higher than other
HCFCs. HCFC-22 is not flammable and it is compatible with existing oils
used in most refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
HFC-134a
HFC-134a is acceptable as a substitute for R-400(60/40) and CFC-114
in New Industrial Process Air Conditioning.
EPA recommends that HFC-134a only be used where ambient
temperatures are lower than 125 deg.F because of very high system
pressures. HFC-134a does not contribute to ozone depletion. HFC-134a's
GWP and atmospheric lifetime are close to those of other alternatives
which are acceptable in this end-use. While HFC-134a is compatible with
most existing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment parts, it is
not compatible with the mineral oils currently used in such systems. An
appropriate ester-based, polyalkylene glycol-based, or other type of
lubricant should be used.
R-401A
R-401A and R-401B, which consist of HCFC-22, HFC-152a, and HCFC-
124, is acceptable as a substitute for R-400(60/40) and CFC-114 in
Retrofitted Industrial Process Air Conditioning.
See the discussion on R-401A for more information about this blend.
R-404A
R-404A, which consists of HFC-125, HFC-143a, and HFC-134a, is
acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in new household refrigerators.
None of this blend's constituents contains chlorine, and thus this
blend poses no threat to stratospheric ozone. However, HFC-125 and HFC-
143a have very high GWPs, and the GWP of HFC-134a is somewhat high. EPA
strongly encourages recycling and reclamation of this blend in order to
reduce its direct global warming impact. Although HFC-143a is
flammable, the blend is not. Leak testing has demonstrated that its
composition never becomes flammable.
[[Page 3320]]
R-507
R-507, which consists of HFC-125 and HFC-143a, is acceptable as a
substitute for CFC-12 in new household refrigerators.
None of this blend's constituents contains chlorine, and thus this
blend poses no threat to stratospheric ozone. However, HFC-125 and HFC-
143a have very high GWPs. EPA strongly encourages recycling and
reclamation of this blend in order to reduce its direct global warming
impact. Although HFC-143a is flammable, the blend is not. Leak testing
has demonstrated that its composition never becomes flammable.
Hydrocarbon Blend B
Hydrocarbon Blend B is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in
retrofitted and new industrial process refrigeration systems.
This blend contains several hydrocarbons. It does not contribute to
ozone depletion, nor does it contribute significantly to global
warming. This blend contains flammable refrigerants, and EPA recommends
but does not require that it only be used at industrial facilities
which already manufacture or use hydrocarbons in the process stream.
Such facilities are designed to comply with the safety standards
required for managing flammable chemicals. Note that EPA only finds
this product acceptable in this specific end-use because other
flammable refrigerants are acceptable and sufficient occupational
safety rules exist to protect workers.

B. Foams

Rigid Polyurethane Appliance
a.Vacuum Panels--Vacuum panels are acceptable substitutes for CFC-
11 blown rigid polyurethane appliance foam. The Agency has reviewed
data on existing and proposed models of vacuum panels and believes that
this alternative technology offers lower risk than continued use of
CFC-11 blown polyurethane foam.

IV. Substitutes Pending Review

The Agency describes submissions as pending if data are incomplete
or for which the 90-day review period is underway and EPA has not yet
reached a final decision. For submissions that are incomplete, the
Agency will contact the submitter to determine a schedule for providing
the missing information if the Agency needs to extend the 90-day review
period. EPA will use its authority under section 114 of the Clean Air
Act to gather this information, if necessary. Any delay of the review
period does not affect a manufacturer's ability to sell a product 90
days after notification of the Agency. Substitutes currently pending
completion of review are listed in Appendix A.

V. Additional Information

Contact the Stratospheric Protection Hotline at 1-800-296-1996,
Monday-Friday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Eastern
Standard Time).
For more information on the Agency's process for administering the
SNAP program or criteria for evaluation of substitutes, refer to the
SNAP final rulemaking published in the Federal Register on March 18,
1994 (59 FR 13044). Federal Register notices can be ordered from the
Government Printing Office Order Desk (202) 783-3238; the citation is
the date of publication. This Notice can also be retrieved
electronically from EPA's Technology Transfer Network (TTN), Clean Air
Act Amendment Bulletin Board. If you have a 1200 or 2400 bps modem,
dial (919) 541-5742. If you have a 9600 bps modem, dial (919) 541-1447.
For assistance in accessing this service, call (919) 541-5384.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82

Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Air pollution control, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Dated: December 28, 1994.
Mary D. Nichols,
Assistant Administrator.
Note: The following appendix will not appear in the Code of
Federal Regulations:

Appendix A.--Summary of Acceptable and Pending Decisions
Refrigerants Acceptable Substitutes
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
& New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
CFC-11, CFC-12, R-502 Industrial Hydrocarbon Blend B. Acceptable... This refrigerant is highly flammable.
Process Refrigeration (Retrofit).
Process Refrigeration (New Equipment/ regulations covering HCFCs.
NIKs).
R-401B.............. Acceptable...
Hydrocarbon Blend B. Acceptable... This refrigerant is highly flammable.
CFC-13, R-13B1, R-503 Industrial CO<INF>2................. Acceptable...
Process Refrigeration (Retrofit and
New Equipment/NIKs).
(New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
Transport (New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.

(New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
(New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B.............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
(New Equipment/NIKs). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 Very Low CO<INF>2................ Acceptable...
Temperature Refrigeration (Retrofit
and New Equipment/NIKs).
CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC- CO<INF>2................ Acceptable...
115 Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer,
Retrofit and New.
Conditioning (Retrofit). regulations covering HCFCs.
R-401B............. Acceptable... This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
Conditioning (New Equipment/NIKs). below 115 deg.F because of excessive compressor pressures.
This substitute is subject to containment and recovery
regulations covering HCFCs.
HFC-134a.......... Acceptable... HFC-134a should only be used where ambient temperatures are
below 125 deg.F because of excessive compressor pressures.
EPA strongly encourages the containment and reclamation of
this refrigerant.
Refrigerants Pending Decisions
Application Substitute Comments
Conditioning.
Foams Sector Acceptable Substitutes
End-use Substitute Decision Comments
CFC-11 Polyurethane Vacuum Panels........... Acceptable........
Appliance.
Foams Sector Pending Decisions
End-use Substitute Comments
polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock.
[[Page 3322]]

appliance.
commercial, refrigeration, spray and
sandwich panels.
HFC-134a.......................................... Agency has not completed review of data.
Polyurethane, rigid slabstock and other.
boardstock and billet.
insulation boardstock and bunstock.
HFC-134a.......................................... Agency has not completed review of data.
Solvent Cleaning Pending
End-use Substitute Comments
Metals cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF and HCFC-225......................................................
HCFC-141b.
Metals cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF and HCFC-122......................................................
HCFC-141b.
Electronics cleaning w/ CFC-113, MCF HCFC-122......................................................
and HCFC-141b.
Electronics cleaning w/ HCFC-141b..... Perfluorocarbons (C5F12, C6F12, C6F14, C7F16, C8F18, C5F11NO,
C6F13NO, C7F15NO, and C8F16).
Precision cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF and HCFC-122......................................................
HCFC-141b.
Precision cleaning w/HCFC-141b........ Perfluorocarbons (C5F12, C6F12, C6F14, C7F16, C8F18, C5F11NO,
C6F13NO, C7F15NO, and C8F16).
Fire Suppression and Explosion Protection Pending Decisions
End-use Substitute Comments

subsequent FRM.
monitoring data required.
complete.
subsequent FRM.
[Inert Gas Blend] C..................... Pending publication of upcoming NPRM and
subsequent FRM.
[Powdered Aerosol] A.................... For use in occupied areas, pending medical
assessment by peer review panel.
[Water Mist System] A................... Pending receipt of medical assessment by
peer review panel.
[Water Mist System] B................... Pending receipt of medical assessment by
peer review panel.
Sterilants Pending Decisions
End-use Substitute Comments
review.
SNAP submission.
Aerosols Pending
End-use Substitute Comments
HCFC-141b as aerosol exposure standards for this class of
solvents. chemicals when used in occupational
settings.
Adhesives, Coatings and Inks Pending Decisions
End-use Substitute Comments
113 MCF. Evaluation of exposure and toxicity data
still ongoing.

Notices For
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1994

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone

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