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FINAL RULE - Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Listing of Ozone Depleting Substitutes in Foam Blowing Fact Sheet
Action
On March 19, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule determining that two ozone depleting chemicals scheduled to be phased out in 2010, HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, are unacceptable substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program (section 612 of the Clean Air Act) as foam blowing agents for CFCs and HCFC-141b. This rule expedites the transition of HCFC-22 and -142b to alternatives which contributes to the accomplishments of the Montreal Protocol.
EPA issued this rulemaking as a result of progress within the insulation foam industry on adopting non-ozone depleting chemicals.
- EPA is finding HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b unacceptable substitutes for HCFC-141b in commercial refrigeration, sandwich panels, slabstock, and "other" rigid polyeurethane foams (referred to as "pour foam" applications).
- Because of technical challenges in transitioning to alternatives, existing users of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b in pour foam applications other than marine flotation foam will be allowed to continue use until March 1, 2008.
- Users of HCFC-22 and HCFC 142b for marine foam applications will be allowed to continue to use these chemicals until September 1, 2009.
- Existing users of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b in extruded polystyrene can continue their use until January 1, 2010.
- This rule will address effects of stratospheric ozone depletion and health and environmental impacts of substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. The ultimate impact will be to reduce skin cancer, cataracts, and other adverse impacts of ozone depletion.
Background
- The phaseout schedule for HCFCs was issued under the Clean Air Act in 1993. Under this schedule, production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be phased out on January 1, 2010 in the U.S.
- Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program (Section 612 of the Clean Air Act), EPA reviews alternatives to Class I and Class II ozone depleting substances (ODS) and approves use of alternatives which reduce the overall risk to public health and the environment.
For Further Information
- Additional information on the use of HCFCs and alternatives in foam can be found at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap
- For further information about this action, contact
Jeff Cohen of EPA's
Office of Atmosphere Programs at (202) 343-9005 or at
cohen.jeff@epa.gov