99-31544. Protection of Stratospheric Ozone  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 68039-68043]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-31544]
    
    
    
    [[Page 68039]]
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 82
    
    [FRL-6503-7]
    
    
    Protection of Stratospheric Ozone
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
    
    ACTION: Notice of acceptability.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document expands the list of acceptable substitutes for 
    ozone-depleting substances (ODS) under the U.S. Environmental 
    Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) 
    program.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: December 6, 1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Information relevant to this document is contained in Air 
    Docket A-91-42, Central Docket Section, South Conference Room 4, U.S. 
    Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
    20460, telephone: (202) 260-7548. The docket may be inspected between 
    8:00 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: Kelly Davis at (202) 564-2303 or fax 
    (202) 565-2096, davis.kelly@epa.gov, U.S. Environmental Protection 
    Agency, Stratospheric Protection Division, Mail Code 6205J, Washington, 
    D.C. 20460. Overnight or courier deliveries should be sent to the 
    office location at 501 3rd Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001. The 
    Stratospheric Protection Hotline at (800) 296-1996. EPA's Ozone 
    Depletion World Wide Web site at ``http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/
    snap/''.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Section 612 Program
        A. Statutory Requirements
        B. Regulatory History
    II. Listing of Acceptable Substitutes
        A. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
        B. Foam Blowing
        C. Solvents Cleaning
        D. Aerosols
    III. Additional Information
    
    Appendix A--Summary of Acceptable Decisions
    
    I. 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 
    refers 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 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; solvents 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 original rule for the SNAP program (59 FR 
    13044; March 18, 1994), 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, by this notice 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 may include 
    importers, formulators or end-users, when they are responsible for 
    introducing a substitute into commerce.
        EPA published Notices listing acceptable alternatives on August 26, 
    1994 (59 FR 44240), January 13, 1995 (60 FR 3318), July 28, 1995 (60 FR 
    38729), February 8, 1996 (61 FR 4736), September 5, 1996 (61 FR 47012), 
    March 10, 1997 (62 FR 10700), June 3, 1997 (62 FR 30275), February 24, 
    1998 (63 FR 9151), May 22, 1998 (63 FR 28251), and June 8, 1999 (64 FR 
    30410), and published Final Rulemakings restricting or prohibiting the 
    use of certain substitutes on March 18, 1994 (59 FR 13044), June 13, 
    1995 (60 FR 31092), May 22, 1996 (61 FR 25585), October 16, 1996 (61 FR 
    54029), January 26, 1999 (64 FR 3861 and 3865), March 3, 1999 (64 FR 
    10374), April 28, 1999 (64 FR 22981), and June 8,1999 (64 FR 30410).
    
    II. Listing of Acceptable Substitutes
    
        This section presents EPA's most recent acceptable listing 
    decisions for substitutes for class I and class II substances in the 
    refrigeration and air
    
    [[Page 68040]]
    
    conditioning, foam blowing, solvents cleaning, and aerosols sectors. 
    For copies of the full list of SNAP decisions in all industrial 
    sectors, contact the EPA Stratospheric Protection Hotline at (800) 296-
    1996.
        Parts A-D below present a detailed discussion of the substitute 
    listing. The table summarizing today's listing decisions is in Appendix 
    A. The comments contained in Appendix A provide additional information, 
    but are not legally binding under section 612 of the Clean Air Act. 
    Thus, adherence to recommendations in the comments is 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 strongly encourages users of 
    acceptable substitutes to apply all comments to their use of these 
    substitutes. In many instances, the comments simply refer to 
    standardized 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
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        Under section 612 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is authorized to review 
    substitutes for class I (CFC) and class II (HCFC) chemicals. The 
    decisions set forth in this section expand the acceptable listing for 
    refrigerants.
        In listing these refrigerants as acceptable, EPA anticipates that 
    these refrigerants will be used in such a manner so that any 
    recommendations specified in the manufacturers' Material Safety Data 
    Sheets (MSDSs) are followed. EPA also anticipates that manufacturers, 
    installers, servicers, building owners and other parties responsible 
    for construction and maintenance of refrigeration and air-conditioning 
    systems will follow all applicable standard industry practices and 
    technical standards established by voluntary consensus standards 
    organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 
    The Agency also expects that refrigerating systems will conform to all 
    relevant provisions of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating 
    and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards, including Standard 
    15, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration, which provides guidelines 
    for the safety of persons and property on or near premises where 
    refrigeration facilities are located. Finally, the Agency anticipates 
    that any exposures by installers or servicers to refrigerants will 
    conform to all applicable standards set by the U.S. Occupational Safety 
    and Health Administration (OSHA) and will not exceed any acceptable 
    exposure limits set by any voluntary consensus standards organization, 
    including the American Conference of Governmental Industrial 
    Hygienists' (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) or the American 
    Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) workplace environmental 
    exposure limits (WEELs).
        (a) THR-02. The chemical blend submitted to EPA with the 
    unregistered trade name THR-02 is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 
    in the following end-uses:
         Industrial process refrigeration and air-conditioning.
         Cold storage warehouses.
         Refrigerated transport.
         retail food refrigeration.
         Ice machines.
         Vending machines.
         Water coolers.
         Centrifugal chillers.
         Reciprocating chillers.
         Household refrigerators and freezers.
    
    Tsinghua University of Beijing and the Beijing Inoue Qinghua 
    Refrigeration Technology Company LTD, the joint submitters of THR-02, 
    claim that its composition is confidential business information. 
    Fractionation and flammability testing have determined that although 
    two constituents of the blend are flammable, THR-02 as blended is not, 
    and further testing has shown that it does not become flammable after 
    leakage. The blend does not contain any significant ozone depleters. 
    THR-02 contains a constituent with a low global warming potential 
    (GWP). The potential of this constituent for contributing to global 
    warming will be mitigated in each end-use through the implementation of 
    the venting prohibition under section 608(c)(2) of the Clean Air Act.
        (b) THR-03. The chemical blend submitted to EPA with the 
    unregistered trade name THR-03 is acceptable as a substitute for HCFC-
    22 in the following end-uses:
         Industrial process refrigeration and air-conditioning.
         Cold storage warehouses.
         Refrigerated transport.
         Retail food refrigeration.
         Ice machines.
         Centrifugal chillers.
         Reciprocating chillers.
         Ice skating rinks.
         Household refrigerators and freezers.
         Residential window unit air-conditioning.
    
    Tsinghua University of Beijing and the Beijing Inoue Qinghua 
    Refrigeration Technology Company LTD, the joint submitters of THR-03, 
    claim that its composition is confidential business information. 
    Fractionation and flammability testing have determined that although 
    one constituent of the blend is flammable, THR-03 as blended is not, 
    and further testing has shown that it does not become flammable after 
    leakage. The blend has virtually no ozone depleting potential. THR-03 
    contains two constituents with moderate global warming potentials 
    (GWP). The potential of these constituents for contributing to global 
    warming will be mitigated in each end-use through the implementation of 
    the venting prohibition under section 608(c)(2) of the Clean Air Act.
        (c) ISCEON 59. The chemical blend submitted to EPA with the 
    unregistered trade name ISCEON 59 is acceptable as a substitute for R-
    22 in the following end-uses:
         Household and light commercial air-conditioning.
         Commercial comfort air-conditioning.
         Industrial process refrigeration and air-conditioning.
         Cold storage warehouses.
         Refrigerated transport.
         Retail food refrigeration.
         Ice machines.
         Vending machines.
         Water coolers.
         Centrifugal chillers.
         Reciprocating chillers.
         Household and other refrigerated appliances.
         Ice skating rinks.
         Non-mechanical heat transfer.
    ISCEON 59 contains HFC-125, HFC-134a, and a small amount of n-butane. 
    HFC-125 and HFC-134a exhibit a fairly high global warming potential 
    (3,400 and 1,900, respectively, over a 100 year integrated time 
    horizon) compared to HCFC-22 (1,750 over a 100 year integrated time 
    horizon). However, the potential of these constituents for contributing 
    to global warming will be mitigated in each end-use through the 
    implementation of the venting prohibition under section 608(c)(2) of 
    the Clean Air Act. ISCEON 59 does not contain ozone-depleting 
    substances and is low in toxicity. Although n-butane is flammable, the 
    blend is not. Leak testing has demonstrated that its composition should 
    never become flammable under the expected conditions in the listed end-
    uses.
        (d) Ikon B. Ikon B, a blend of 
    trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I), HFC-134a
    
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    and HFC-152a, is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in the following 
    end-uses:
         Industrial process refrigeration and air-conditioning.
         Cold storage warehouses.
         Refrigerated transport.
         Retail food refrigeration.
         Ice machines.
         Vending machines.
         Water coolers.
         Centrifugal chillers.
         Reciprocating chillers.
         Residential dehumidifiers.
    
        Fractionation and flammability testing have determined that 
    although HFC-152a is flammable, Ikon B as blended is not, 
    and further testing has shown that it does not become flammable after 
    leakage. Ikon B has virtually no ozone depleting potential. 
    It contains two constituents with moderate global warming potentials 
    (GWP). The potential of these constituents for contributing to global 
    warming will be mitigated in each end-use through the implementation of 
    the venting prohibition under section 608(c)(2) of the Clean Air Act.
        (e) Cryo-Mechanical Cryogenic Transport Refrigeration 
    System. The cryo-mechanical cryogenic transport system that 
    uses recaptured and recycled liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen 
    is acceptable as a substitute for R-502 or CFC-12 in the transport 
    refrigeration end-use. The cryo-mechanical cryogenic 
    transport system replaces the conventional engine and compressor in a 
    transport refrigeration system by using the energy from evaporating and 
    expanding liquid CO2 or N2. The CO2 or 
    N2 expands through the system coils and powers a vapor 
    motor, which then powers an evaporator blower and an alternator. The 
    evaporator blower forces cargo space air through the system coils where 
    it is cooled down and subsequently propelled back into the cargo space. 
    The CO2/N2 vapors are released into the 
    atmosphere without ever entering the cargo space. Since the system does 
    not require the use of the conventional diesel engine, emissions of 
    combustion products such as NOX, SO2, and 
    CO2 are avoided.
        (f) HFE-7200. Hydrofluroether (HFE-7200) 
    (C4F9OC2H5; 
    ethoxynonafluorobutane, iso and normal) is an acceptable substitute for 
    CFC-113 in non-mechanical heat transfer. HFE-7200 does not delete the 
    ozone layer since it does not contain chlorine or bromine. It has a 0.9 
    year atmospheric lifetime and a GWP of 100 over a 100-year time 
    horizon. The GWP and lifetime for this HFE are lower than the GWP and 
    lifetime for CFC-113.
    
    B. Foam Blowing
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) HFC-245fa. HFC-245fa is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-11 
    and HCFC-141b in all foam end-uses. HFC-245fa contains no chlorine or 
    bromine; therefore, it has zero ODP. Its 100-year GWP is 1022. HFC-
    245fa is non-flammable. EPA anticipates that HFC-245fa will be used in 
    such a manner so that any recommendations specified in the 
    manufacturers' Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are followed. The 
    Agency also expects that any exposures will not exceed any acceptable 
    exposure limits set by any voluntary consensus standards organization, 
    including the American Conference of Governmental Industrial 
    Hygienists' (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) or the American 
    Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) workplace environmental 
    exposure limits (WEELs).
        (b) Exxsol Blowing Agents. Exxsol Blowing Agents are acceptable 
    substitutes for HCFC-141b in all foam end-uses. C3-C6 saturated light 
    hydrocarbons are already acceptable substitutes for CFC-11 and HCFC-
    141b in several foam end-uses. Exxsol blowing agents are hydrocarbon 
    (pentane) blends that have no ozone depletion potential, low global 
    warming potentials, and are low in toxicity. However, these agents are 
    flammable and should be handled with proper precautions.
        The flammability of hydrocarbon blowing agents, including Exxsol, 
    are of particular concern in spray foam applications where a controlled 
    factory environment is not possible. The manufacturer and supplier of 
    Exxsol blowing agents, Exxon, has performed several studies showing 
    that under normal circumstances flammable concentrations do not occur 
    in spray foam applications (Docket A-91-42, Category IX-B, Background 
    Documents for Notice 11). However, without adequate ventilation, 
    several situations could lead to explosion or fire. Examples include, 
    but are not limited to, equipment wells on roofs, roofs enclosed by 
    high parapet walls, and interior applications (especially where a 
    basement or other confined space is beneath the spray area). Therefore, 
    it is critical that application in enclosed areas be accompanied by 
    adequate forced ventilation, flammable vapor monitoring and the 
    elimination of all possible ignition sources.
        The potential for explosion or fire highlights the need for safety 
    training. Exxon will sell Exxsol blowing agents only to systems 
    manufacturers who have contractually guaranteed to provide training on 
    safe storage, handling and application to their customers, contractors, 
    and applicators. Draft training materials have been provided to EPA and 
    are available through the Air Docket (Docket A-91-42, Category IX-B, 
    Background Documents for Notice 11). Exxon has also offered to work 
    with trade groups to develop additional training. While training can 
    not provide an absolute guarantee of safety, EPA believes that a 
    comprehensive training program, if implemented properly, can adequately 
    control risks associated with use of potentially flammable pentane-
    blown spray foam systems.
        Because manufacturers of other hydrocarbon blowing agents have not 
    ensured adequate training, today's listing does not extend to 
    hydrocarbons as a class. If other manufacturers are interested in 
    Exxon's approach, they should contact EPA.
    
    C. Solvents Cleaning
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) HFE-7200. Hydrofluoroether (HFE-7200): 
    (C4F9OC2H5; 
    ethoxynonafluorobutane, iso and normal) is an acceptable substitute for 
    CFC-113 and methyl chloroform (MCF) in all solvents cleaning end-uses. 
    This chemical does not deplete the ozone layer since it does not 
    contain chlorine or bromine. It has a 0.9 year atmospheric lifetime and 
    a GWP of 100 over a 100-year time horizon. EPA anticipates that HFE-
    7200 will be used in such a manner so that any recommendations 
    specified in the manufacturers' Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are 
    followed. The Agency also expects that any exposures will not exceed 
    any acceptable exposure limits set by any voluntary consensus standards 
    organization, including the American Conference of Governmental 
    Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) or the 
    American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) workplace 
    environmental exposure limits (WEELs).
    
    D. Aerosols
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) HFE-7200. Hydrofluoroether (HFE-7200): 
    (C4F9OC2H5; 
    ethoxynonafluorobutane, iso and normal) is an acceptable substitute for 
    CFC-113 and methyl chloroform (MCF) as a solvent in aerosol products. 
    This chemical does not deplete the ozone layer since it does not 
    contain chlorine or bromine. It has a 0.9 year atmospheric lifetime and 
    a GWP of 100 over a 100-year time horizon. EPA
    
    [[Page 68042]]
    
    anticipates that HFE-7200 will be used in such a manner so that any 
    recommendations specified in the manufacturers' Material Safety Data 
    Sheets (MSDSs) are followed. The Agency also expects that any exposures 
    will not exceed any acceptable exposure limits set by any voluntary 
    consensus standards organization, including the American Conference of 
    Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) threshold limit values 
    (TLVs) or the American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) 
    workplace environmental exposure limits (WEELs).
    
    III. Additional Information
    
        Contact the Stratospheric Protection Hotline at (800) 296-1996, 
    Monday-Friday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST). 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). Notices and rulemakings under the SNAP program, as well 
    as all EPA publications on protection of stratospheric ozone, are 
    available from EPA's Ozone Depletion World Wide Web site at ``http://
    www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/snap/'' and from the Stratospheric Protection 
    Hotline whose number is listed above.
    
    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82
    
        Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
    Air pollution control, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Dated: November 24, 1999
    Paul Stolpman,
    Director, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and Radiation.
    
    APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF ACCEPTABLE DECISIONS
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            End-use                    Substitute                         Decision                    Comments
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        REFRIGERATION and AIR CONDITIONING SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The following CFC-12    THR-02..........................  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     end-uses:                                                                                   manufacturers,
     Industrial                                                                          installers and
     process refrigeration                                                                       servicers of
     and air-conditioning                                                                        refrigeration and
     Cold storage                                                                        air-conditioning
     warehouses                                                                                  systems will follow
     Refrigerated                                                                        all applicable
     transport                                                                                   industry practices
     Retail food                                                                         and technical
     refrigeration                                                                               standards,
     Ice machines                                                                        including but not
     Vending                                                                             limited to
     machines                                                                                    standards issued by
     Water coolers                                                                       the American
     Centrifugal                                                                         Society of Heating,
     chillers                                                                                    Refrigeration and
     Reciprocating                                                                       Air-conditioning
     chillers                                                                                    Engineers (ASHRAE),
     Household                                                                           and that exposures
     refrigerators and                                                                           will be kept within
     freezers                                                                                    all applicable
                                                                                                 American Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygiene Association
                                                                                                 (AIHA) and American
                                                                                                 Conference of
                                                                                                 Governmental
                                                                                                 Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygienists (ACGIH)
                                                                                                 occupational
                                                                                                 exposure limits.
    The following HCFC-22   THR-03..........................  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     end-uses:                                                                                   manufacturers,
     Industrial                                                                          installers and
     process refrigeration                                                                       servicers of
     and air-conditioning                                                                        refrigeration and
     Cold storage                                                                        air-conditioning
     warehouses                                                                                  systems will follow
     Rrefrigerated                                                                       all applicable
     transport                                                                                   industry practices
     Retail food                                                                         and technical
     refrigeration                                                                               standards,
     Ice machines                                                                        including but not
     Centrifugal                                                                         limited to
     chillers                                                                                    standards issued by
     Reciprocating                                                                       the American
     chillers                                                                                    Society of Heating,
     Ice skating                                                                         Refrigeration and
     rinks                                                                                       Air-conditioning
     Household                                                                           Engineers (ASHRAE),
     refrigerators and                                                                           and that exposures
     freezers                                                                                    will be kept within
     Window-unit                                                                         all applicable
     residential air                                                                             American Industrial
     conditioners                                                                                Hygiene Association
                                                                                                 (AIHA) and American
                                                                                                 Conference of
                                                                                                 Governmental
                                                                                                 Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygienists (ACGIH)
                                                                                                 occupational
                                                                                                 exposure limits.
    The following HCFC-22   ISCEON 59.......................  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     end-uses:                                                                                   manufacturers,
     Household and                                                                       installers and
     light commercial air-                                                                       servicers of
     conditioning                                                                                refrigeration and
     Commercial                                                                          air-conditioning
     comfort air-                                                                                systems will follow
     conditioning                                                                                all applicable
     Industrial                                                                          industry practices
     process refrigeration                                                                       and technical
     and air-conditioning                                                                        standards,
     Cold storage                                                                        including but not
     warehouses                                                                                  limited to
     Refrigerated                                                                        standards issued by
     transport                                                                                   the American
     Retail food                                                                         Society of Heating,
     refrigeration                                                                               Refrigeration and
     Ice machines                                                                        Air-conditioning
     Vending                                                                             Engineers (ASHRAE),
     machines                                                                                    and that exposures
     Water coolers                                                                       will be kept within
     Centrifugal                                                                         all applicable
     chillers                                                                                    American Industrial
     Reciprocating                                                                       Hygiene Association
     chillers                                                                                    (AIHA) and American
     Household and                                                                       Conference of
     other refrigerated                                                                          Governmental
     appliances                                                                                  Industrial
     Ice skating                                                                         Hygienists (ACGIH)
     rinks                                                                                       occupational
     Non-                                                                                exposure limits.
     mechanical heat
     transfer
    
    [[Page 68043]]
    
     
    The following CFC-12    Ikon B................  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     end-uses:                                                                                   manufacturers,
     Industrial                                                                          installers and
     process refrigeration                                                                       servicers of
     and air-conditioning                                                                        refrigeration and
     Cold storage                                                                        air-conditioning
     warehouses                                                                                  systems will follow
     Refrigerated                                                                        all applicable
     transport                                                                                   industry practices
     Retail food                                                                         and technical
     refrigeration                                                                               standards,
     Ice machines                                                                        including but not
     Vending                                                                             limited to
     machines                                                                                    standards issued by
     Water coolers                                                                       the American
     Centrifugal                                                                         Society of Heating,
     chillers                                                                                    Refrigeration and
     Reciprocating                                                                       Air-conditioning
     chillers                                                                                    Engineers (ASHRAE),
     Residential                                                                         and that exposures
     dehumidifiers                                                                               will be kept within
                                                                                                 all applicable
                                                                                                 American Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygiene Association
                                                                                                 (AIHA) and American
                                                                                                 Conference of
                                                                                                 Governmental
                                                                                                 Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygienists (ACGIH)
                                                                                                 occupational
                                                                                                 exposure limits.
    The following R-502 or  Cryo-Mechanical         Acceptable......................  The Cryogenic
     CFC-12 end-uses:        Cryogenic Transport                                                 transport system
     Refrigerated    Refrigeration System.                                               may use liquified
     transport                                                                                   nitrogen (N2) or
                                                                                                 carbon dioxide
                                                                                                 (CO2). EPA expects
                                                                                                 that suppliers of
                                                                                                 CO2 will not
                                                                                                 generate new CO2
                                                                                                 for this system,
                                                                                                 but instead, use
                                                                                                 the CO2 that is
                                                                                                 commonly recovered,
                                                                                                 purified, and
                                                                                                 liquified from that
                                                                                                 otherwise released
                                                                                                 from existing
                                                                                                 industrial
                                                                                                 processes.
    The following CFC-113   HFE-7200........................  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     end-uses:                                                                                   manufacturers,
     Non-                                                                                installers and
     mechanical heat                                                                             servicers of
     transfer                                                                                    refrigeration and
                                                                                                 air-conditioning
                                                                                                 systems will follow
                                                                                                 all applicable
                                                                                                 industry practices
                                                                                                 and technical
                                                                                                 standards.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   FOAM BLOWING SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The following CFC-11    HFC-245fa.......................  Acceptable......................  EPA's Office of
     and HCFC-141b end-                                                                          Pollution
     uses:                                                                                       Prevention and
     All foam end-                                                                       Toxics has reviewed
     uses                                                                                        the toxicity
                                                                                                 profile for HFC-
                                                                                                 245fa, and referred
                                                                                                 it to a WEEL
                                                                                                 committee for a
                                                                                                 final exposure
                                                                                                 limit.
    The following HCFC-     Exxsol Blowing Agents...........  Acceptable......................  EPA expects that
     141b end-uses:                                                                              Exxon will work
     All foam end-                                                                       with its customers
     uses                                                                                        to ensure that they
                                                                                                 are aware of
                                                                                                 potential risks
                                                                                                 associated with
                                                                                                 Exxsol and that
                                                                                                 systems
                                                                                                 manufacturers
                                                                                                 provide adequate
                                                                                                 training on safe
                                                                                                 storage, handling
                                                                                                 and application to
                                                                                                 customers,
                                                                                                 contractors, and
                                                                                                 applicators. EPA
                                                                                                 also expects that
                                                                                                 Exxon will work
                                                                                                 with trade groups
                                                                                                 and continue to
                                                                                                 develop training
                                                                                                 materials as more
                                                                                                 information becomes
                                                                                                 available on the
                                                                                                 risks of
                                                                                                 hydrocarbons in
                                                                                                 spray foam
                                                                                                 applications.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                SOLVENTS CLEANING SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The following CFC-113   HFE-7200........................  Acceptable......................  The Agency expects
     and methyl chloroform                                                                       that any exposures
     end-uses:                                                                                   will not exceed any
     All solvents                                                                        acceptable exposure
     cleaning end-uses                                                                           limits set by any
                                                                                                 voluntary consensus
                                                                                                 standards
                                                                                                 organization,
                                                                                                 including the
                                                                                                 American Conference
                                                                                                 of Governmental
                                                                                                 Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygienists' (ACGIH)
                                                                                                 threshold limit
                                                                                                 values (TLVs) or
                                                                                                 the American
                                                                                                 Industrial Hygiene
                                                                                                 Association's
                                                                                                 (AIHA) workplace
                                                                                                 environmental
                                                                                                 exposure limits
                                                                                                 (WEELs).
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     AEROSOL SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The following CFC-113   HFE-7200........................  Acceptable......................  The Agency expects
     and methyl chloroform                                                                       that any exposures
     end-uses:                                                                                   will not exceed any
     As a solvent                                                                        acceptable exposure
     in aerosol products                                                                         limits set by any
                                                                                                 voluntary consensus
                                                                                                 standards
                                                                                                 organization,
                                                                                                 including the
                                                                                                 American Conference
                                                                                                 of Governmental
                                                                                                 Industrial
                                                                                                 Hygienists' (ACGIH)
                                                                                                 threshold limit
                                                                                                 values (TLVs) or
                                                                                                 the American
                                                                                                 Industrial Hygiene
                                                                                                 Association's
                                                                                                 (AIHA) workplace
                                                                                                 environmental
                                                                                                 exposure limits
                                                                                                 (WEELs).
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [FR Doc. 99-31544 Filed 12-3-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
12/6/1999
Published:
12/06/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Notice of acceptability.
Document Number:
99-31544
Dates:
December 6, 1999.
Pages:
68039-68043 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-6503-7
PDF File:
99-31544.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 82