99-14356. Protection of Stratospheric Ozone  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 30410-30415]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-14356]
    
    
    
    [[Page 30410]]
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 82
    
    [FRL-6355-8]
    
    
    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: June 8, 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, U.S. EPA, Stratospheric Protection Division, 401 M 
    Street, S.W., Mail Code 6205J, Washington, D.C. 20460; EPA 
    Stratospheric Ozone Protection Hotline at (800) 296-1996; EPA World 
    Wide Web Site (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
        E. Adhesives, Coatings, and Inks
    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 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; 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 document 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 documents 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), and May 22, 1998 (63 FR 28251), 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), January 26, 1999 (64 FR 3865), and March 
    3, 1999 (64 FR 10374), April 28, 1999 (64 FR 22981).
    
    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 conditioning; foam blowing; solvents cleaning; 
    aerosols; and adhesives, coatings, and inks sectors. For copies of
    
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    the full list of SNAP decisions in all industrial sectors, contact the 
    EPA Stratospheric Protection Hotline at (800) 296-1996.
        Parts A through E below present a detailed discussion of the 
    substitute listing determinations by major use sector. The table 
    summarizing today's listing decisions is in Appendix A. The comments 
    contained in Appendix A provide additional information on a substitute, 
    but for listings of acceptable substitutes, they 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 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
    
    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 A 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) threshhold limit values (TLVs) or the American 
    Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) workplace environmental 
    exposure limits (WEELs).
        (a) THR-04. The chemical blend submitted to EPA with the 
    unregistered tradename THR-04 is acceptable as a substitute for R-502 
    in all end-uses. Tsinghua University of Beijing and the Beijing Inoue 
    Qinghua Refrigeration Technology Company, the joint submitters of THR-
    04, claim that its composition is confidential business information. 
    Fractionation and flammability testing have determined that although 
    one constituent of the blend is flammable, THR-04 as blended is not, 
    and further testing has shown that it does not become flammable after 
    leakage. This blend contains an HCFC and for this reason is an ozone 
    depleter. However, the HCFC is a class II ozone depleter and is an 
    acceptable substitute for the class I ozone depleter, R-502. THR-04 
    contains a constituent with a high global warming potential (GWP). 
    However, 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) HFC-236fa. HFC-236fa, when manufactured using any process that 
    does not convert perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) directly to HFC-236fa in a 
    single step, is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-114 in non-
    mechanical heat transfer. HFC-236fa does not harm the ozone layer 
    because it does not contain chlorine. Although HFC-236fa has an 
    extremely high 100-year GWP of 6,300,1 its lifetime is at 
    least an order of magnitude shorter than that of perfluorocarbons 
    (PFCs), which have comparable 100-year GWPs. For some specialized non-
    mechanical heat transfer end-uses, HFC-236fa is the only CFC-114 
    alternative that is safe for the ozone layer and is low in toxicity. 
    HFC-236fa may not be vented when used as a refrigerant, in accordance 
    with section 608(c)(2) of the Act. EPA has proposed new recycling 
    regulations for non-ozone-depleting refrigerants (63 FR 32044; June 11, 
    1998). This proposal would extend to HFC and PFC refrigerants the 
    requirements currently in place for class I (CFC) and class II (HCFC) 
    refrigerants, including required service practices, certification 
    programs for recovery/recycling equipment, reclaimers, and technicians, 
    a prohibition on the sale of refrigerant to anyone but certified 
    technicians, leak repair requirements, and safe disposal requirements. 
    A fact sheet on the proposal is available from the EPA Ozone Hotline at 
    (800) 296-1996 or on the world wide web at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/
    title6/608/subrecsm.html.
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        \1\ GWPs and atmospheric lifetimes cited in this document are 
    from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report 
    entitled Climate Change 1995--The Science of Climate Change, IPCC 
    Second Assessment Report. More recent values for GWPs and 
    atmospheric lifetimes published in the Scientific Assessment of 
    Ozone Depletion: 1998, World Meteorological Organization Global 
    Ozone Research and Monitoring Project--Report No. 44, may be 
    somewhat different than the values cited here but do not alter any 
    of the technical or policy determinations by EPA in this rule.
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        (c) HFE-7100. Hydrofluoroether (HFE-7100) 
    (C4F9OCH3; methoxynonafluorobutane, 
    iso and normal) is an acceptable substitute for CFC-113 in non-
    mechanical heat transfer. HFE-7100 does not deplete the ozone layer 
    since it does not contain chlorine or bromine. It has a 4.1 year 
    atmospheric lifetime and a GWP of 500 over a 100-year time horizon. The 
    GWP and lifetime for this HFE are lower than the GWP and lifetime for 
    CFC-113, and this HFE exhibits low toxicity, with a WEEL of 750 ppm.
        (d) HFC-23. HFC-23 is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in very 
    low-temperature refrigeration. (Readers of this section should also 
    note the clarification of the definition of very-low-temperature 
    refrigeration set forth in section 2 below.) HFC-23 has already been 
    listed as an acceptable substitute for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in 
    very-low-temperature refrigeration and industrial process 
    refrigeration. It is non-flammable and does not deplete stratospheric 
    ozone. However, HFC-23 has an extremely high 100-year GWP of 11,700 
    relative to CO2 and an atmospheric lifetime of 264 years. 
    Its GWP is the highest among the HFCs, and its lifetime is exceeded 
    only by the PFCs. Consequently, EPA believes HFC-23 could contribute 
    significantly to global warming. In addition, the long lifetime of HFC-
    23 means any global warming or other effects would be essentially 
    irreversible. It is illegal to vent HFC-23 at any time when used as a 
    refrigerant. The current regulations issued under section 608 of the 
    CAA (58 FR 28660; May 14, 1993) do not require recycling and recovery 
    of HFC-23, or
    
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    leak repair for systems using HFC-23. In particular, EPA urges users to 
    reduce leakage and recover and recycle HFC-23 during equipment 
    servicing and upon the retirement of equipment and adhere to the 
    amended leak repair provisions established in 60 FR 40419; August 8, 
    1995. EPA has proposed new recycling regulations for non-ozone-
    depleting refrigerants (63 FR 32044; June 11, 1998). This proposal 
    would extend to HFC and PFC refrigerants the requirements currently in 
    place for class I (CFC) and class II (HCFC) refrigerants, including 
    required service practices, certification programs for recovery/
    recycling equipment, reclaimers, and technicians, a prohibition on the 
    sale of refrigerant to anyone but certified technicians, leak repair 
    requirements, and safe disposal requirements. A fact sheet on the 
    proposal is available from the EPA Ozone Hotline at (800) 296-1996 or 
    on the world wide web at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/
    subrecsm.html.
        (e) Motor Vehicle Air-Conditioning: thermal storage systems used in 
    tractor trailers in conjunction with passenger compartment climate 
    control systems that use a SNAP-accepted refrigerant. Thermal storage 
    systems used in a tractor trailer in conjunction with a conventional 
    motor vehicle air-conditioning system that already uses an acceptable 
    substitute refrigerant, are acceptable as substitutes for CFC-12 in 
    motor vehicle air conditioners. These systems have been developed for 
    use in heavy duty trucks that contain sleeper compartments. Currently 
    these trucks must continually idle while the vehicle is parked and the 
    driver is resting in the sleeper compartment, to power a conventional 
    air-conditioner or heater when cooling or heating comfort is needed. 
    These thermal storage systems will allow the provision of cooling/
    heating comfort while the engine is off.
        The thermal storage system uses water blended with small amounts of 
    one or more of the SNAP acceptable HFC-based refrigerants such as HFC-
    134a. The blend is contained in a sealed storage device. The system 
    consists of a packaged cool storage reservoir and a fuel-fired heater 
    that generates cooling or heating capacity during the normal operation 
    of the vehicle. This cooling or heating capacity becomes available for 
    use in the passenger compartment at a desired time. The cooling 
    capacity is generated by chilling a circulating coolant with air from 
    the air conditioner, while the heating capacity is achieved by heating 
    this same coolant with a fuel-fired heater. The coolant functions as a 
    secondary fluid in a secondary-loop refrigeration system similar to 
    chilled water in building chillers.
        After reviewing the technology of the thermal storage system 
    submitted in the SNAP application, EPA found no safety or environmental 
    concerns associated with its use in trucks. EPA acknowledges the 
    existence of such a system and recognizes the potential merits. This 
    type of technology promises to significantly lower fuel consumption and 
    reduce pollutant emissions, including nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, 
    carbon dioxide, sulfuric oxides, and particulate emissions.
    2. Clarification
        (a) Very-low-temperature refrigeration. In a previous rule (60 FR 
    31092; June 13, 1995), EPA stated in its definition of very-low-
    temperature refrigeration that ``[m]edical freezers, freeze-dryers, and 
    other small appliances require extremely reliable refrigeration cycles. 
    These systems must meet stringent technical standards that do not 
    normally apply to refrigeration systems.'' EPA does not intend to limit 
    the very-low-temperature refrigeration application to medical freezers, 
    freeze-dryers and other small appliances. Larger systems may also fall 
    within the definition of very-low-temperature refrigeration, as long as 
    the systems or portions of the systems require very low temperatures in 
    the vicinity of -80 degrees F or lower. Submitters to the SNAP program 
    who believe that particular systems may qualify as very-low-temperature 
    refrigeration and/or industrial process refrigeration should contact 
    EPA for a determination prior to submitting substitute refrigerants for 
    review under the SNAP program.
    
    B. Foam Blowing
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) HFC-134a. HFC-134a is an acceptable substitute for HCFCs in all 
    foam blowing end-uses. For end-uses other than rigid polyurethane and 
    polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, polystyrene extruded boardstock 
    and billet foams, phenolic foams, and polyolefin foams, blends of HFC-
    134a with other acceptable substitutes are also acceptable substitutes 
    for HCFCs. See the original SNAP rule (53 FR 13044) for a detailed 
    explanation of the distinction among end-uses for which blends are 
    acceptable without further review. HFC-134a has zero ODP, has a 100-
    year GWP of 1300, and is nonflammable. HFC-134a has low toxicity, with 
    a WEEL of 1000 ppm.
        (b) HFC-152a. HFC-152a is an acceptable substitute for HCFCs in all 
    foam blowing end-uses. For end-uses other than rigid polyurethane and 
    polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, polystyrene extruded boardstock 
    and billet foams, phenolic foams, and polyolefin foams, blends of HFC-
    152a with other acceptable substitutes are also acceptable substitutes 
    for HCFCs. See the original SNAP rule (53 FR 13044) for a detailed 
    explanation of the distinction among end-uses for which blends are 
    acceptable without further review. HFC-152a is flammable; foams blown 
    with HFC-152a will need to conform to building code requirements that 
    relate to flammable materials. HFC-152a has zero ODP, a 100-year GWP of 
    140, and low toxicity. The WEEL for HFC-152a is 1000 ppm.
        (c) Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is an 
    acceptable substitute for HCFCs in all foam blowing end-uses. For end-
    uses other than rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate laminated 
    boardstock, polystyrene extruded boardstock and billet foams, phenolic 
    foams, and polyolefin foams, blends of CO2 with other 
    acceptable substitutes are also acceptable substitutes for HCFCs. See 
    the original SNAP rule (53 FR 13044) for a detailed explanation of the 
    distinction among end-uses for which blends are acceptable without 
    further review. CO2 has zero ODP, a GWP of 1, low toxicity, 
    and is nonflammable.
        (d) Water. Water is an acceptable substitute for HCFCs in all foam 
    blowing end-uses. For end-uses other than rigid polyurethane and 
    polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, polystyrene extruded boardstock 
    and billet foams, phenolic foams, and polyolefin foams, blends of water 
    with other acceptable substitutes are also acceptable substitutes for 
    HCFCs. See the original SNAP rule (53 FR 13044) for a detailed 
    explanation of the distinction among end-uses for which blends are 
    acceptable without further review. Water has zero ODP and GWP, is not 
    toxic, and is nonflammable.
    2. Clarification
        On September 5, 1996 (61 FR 47012), EPA listed proprietary blend 1 
    (PBA 1) as an acceptable substitute for CFCs and HCFCs in rigid 
    polyurethane and polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock foam; rigid 
    polyurethane appliance; rigid polyurethane slabstock and other; and 
    rigid polyurethane spray and commercial refrigeration, and sandwich 
    panels. At the time PBA 1 was submitted, the submitter's identification 
    and the composition of PBA 1 were claimed as confidential business 
    information. The confidentiality of the composition has been withdrawn, 
    and
    
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    EPA now discloses that PBA 1 is formic acid. On February 28, 1998 (63 
    FR 9151), EPA listed formic acid as an acceptable substitute for CFC 
    and HCFCs in polyurethane integral skin foam. In future lists of 
    acceptable substitutes, EPA will combine these listings.
    
    C. Solvents Cleaning
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) HFC-4310mee. HFC-4310mee is acceptable as a substitute for 
    HCFC-141b in all solvents cleaning end-uses. HFC-4310mee is listed as 
    acceptable subject to use conditions in the metals cleaning and aerosol 
    solvent sectors (64 FR 22981, April 28, 1999) as a substitute for CFC-
    113 and methyl chloroform. It is already acceptable in electronics and 
    precision cleaning subject to a 200 ppm time-weighted average workplace 
    exposure standard and a 400 ppm workplace exposure ceiling (61 FR 
    54029; October 16, 1996).
        This document clarifies that HFC-4310mee is also acceptable as a 
    substitute for HCFC-141b. HCFC-141b is scheduled for complete phaseout 
    in 2003 and is currently unacceptable for use in all sectors except for 
    very specific aerosol uses. The exemptions to the ban under Clean Air 
    Act section 610 include use for specific medical devices, aircraft 
    maintenance, mold release agents, spinnerettes, document preservation 
    sprays, photographic equipment, and wasp and hornet sprays used near 
    high-tension wires (58 FR 69638; December 30, 1993). Note that the ban 
    under section 610 is for all class II substances.
    2. Clarification
        (a) All Solvents Cleaning End-uses. (1) Benzotrifluoride (CAS# 98-
    08-8). This notice of clarification serves to list benzotrifluoride 
    (C7H5F3) as acceptable with an 
    acceptable exposure limit (AEL) of 100 ppm. Monochlorotoluenes/
    benzotrifluorides are acceptable subject to use conditions as 
    substitutes for CFC-113 and MCF in all solvent end-uses. The category 
    of monochlorotoluenes/benzotrifluoride has been listed with a company-
    established acceptable exposure limit of 50 ppm workplace standard for 
    monochlorotoluenes and a 25 ppm standard for benzotrifluoride (61 FR 
    25585; May 22, 1996). Of all the structures of commercial interest, the 
    only chemical with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
    (OSHA) standard is orthochlorotoluene, one of the monochlorotoluenes. 
    This substance has an OSHA Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 ppm. 
    Using this standard as a proxy, the Agency set a workplace standard of 
    50 ppm for monochlorotoluenes as a group. Benzotrifluoride does not 
    have a PEL. Further testing has demonstrated that benzotrifluoride is 
    one of the least toxic chemicals in the category of monochlorotoluenes/ 
    benzotrifluoride. As such, the company-set acceptable exposure limit 
    for benzotrifluoride is 100 ppm.
    
    D. Aerosols
    
    1. Acceptable Substitutes
        (a) Aerosol solvents. (1) HFC-4310mee. HFC-4310mee is acceptable as 
    a substitute for HCFC-141b in all aerosol solvent end-uses. For a 
    complete discussion, please refer to the solvents cleaning section 
    above.
    2. Clarification
        (a) Aerosol Solvents. (1) Benzotrifluoride (CAS# 98-08-8). This 
    notice of clarification serves to list benzotrifluoride 
    (C7H5F3) as acceptable with an 
    acceptable exposure limit (AEL) of 100 ppm. For a complete discussion, 
    please refer to the solvent section above.
    
    E. Adhesives, Coatings, and Inks
    
    1. Clarification
        (a) Benzotrifluoride (CAS# 98-08-8). This notice of clarification 
    serves to list benzotrifluoride 
    (C7H5F3) as acceptable with an 
    acceptable exposure limit (AEL) of 100 ppm. For a complete discussion, 
    please refer to the solvent section above.
    
    III. 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). 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: May 27, 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
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    All R-502 end-uses...................  THR-04.................  Acceptable.............  EPA anticipates that
                                                                                              manufacturers,
                                                                                              installers and
                                                                                              servicers of
                                                                                              refrigeration and air-
                                                                                              conditioning systems
                                                                                              will follow all
                                                                                              applicable standard
                                                                                              industry practices and
                                                                                              technical standards.
    Non-mechanical heat transfer.........  HFC-236fa..............  Acceptable as a          EPA anticipates that
                                                                     substitute for CFC-114   manufacturers,
                                                                     in non-mechanical heat   installers and
                                                                     transfer when            servicers of
                                                                     manufactured using any   refrigeration and air-
                                                                     process that does not    conditioning systems
                                                                     convert                  will follow all
                                                                     perfluoroisobutylene     applicable standard
                                                                     (PFIB) directly to HFC-  industry practices and
                                                                     236fa in a single step.  technical standards.
    
    [[Page 30414]]
    
     
    Non-mechanical heat transfer.........  HFE-7100...............  Acceptable.............  EPA anticipates that
                                                                                              manufacturers,
                                                                                              installers and
                                                                                              servicers of
                                                                                              refrigeration and air-
                                                                                              conditioning systems
                                                                                              will follow all
                                                                                              applicable standard
                                                                                              industry practices and
                                                                                              technical standards.
    Very-low-temperature refrigeration...  HFC-23.................  Acceptable.............  This determination
                                                                                              applies where the
                                                                                              ozone-depleting
                                                                                              substance being
                                                                                              replaced is CFC-12.
                                                                                              EPA anticipates that
                                                                                              manufacturers,
                                                                                              installers and
                                                                                              servicers of
                                                                                              refrigeration and air-
                                                                                              conditioning systems
                                                                                              will follow all
                                                                                              applicable standard
                                                                                              industry practices and
                                                                                              technical standards.
    Motor vehicle air conditioning.......  Thermal storage systems  Acceptable.............  EPA anticipates that
                                            used in tractor                                   installers and
                                            trailers in                                       servicers of
                                            conjunction with                                  refrigeration and air-
                                            passenger compartment                             conditioning systems
                                            climate control                                   will follow all
                                            systems that use SNAP-                            applicable standard
                                            accepted refrigerants.                            industry practices and
                                                                                              technical standards.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       FOAMS SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    HCFCs used in all end-uses but rigid   HFC-134a, HFC-152a,      Acceptable.............
     polyurethane and polyisocyanurate      CO2, water (and blends
     laminated boardstock, polystyrene      of any of these with
     extruded boardstock and billet         other fully acceptable
     foams, phenolic foams, and             substitutes).
     polyolefin foams.
    HCFCs used in rigid polyurethane and   HFC-134a, HFC-152a,      Acceptable.............
     polyisocyanurate laminated             CO2, water.
     boardstock, polystyrene extruded
     boardstock and billet foams,
     phenolic foams, and polyolefin foams.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     SOLVENTS SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    All end-uses.........................  HFC-4310mee............  Acceptable subject to a
                                                                     200 ppm time-weighted
                                                                     average workplace
                                                                     exposure standard and
                                                                     400 ppm workplace
                                                                     exposure ceiling.
    All end-uses.........................  Benzotrifluoride.......  Acceptable with an
                                                                     acceptable exposure
                                                                     limit (AEL) of 100 ppm.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     AEROSOLS SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Aerosol Solvents.....................  HFC-4310mee............  Acceptable subject to a
                                                                     200 ppm time-weighted
                                                                     average workplace
                                                                     exposure standard and
                                                                     400 ppm workplace
                                                                     exposure ceiling.
    Aerosol Solvents.....................  Benzotrifluoride.......  Acceptable with an
                                                                     acceptable exposure
                                                                     limit (AEL) of 100 ppm.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ADHESIVES, COATINGS, and INKS SECTOR
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    All end-uses.........................  Benzotrifluoride.......  Acceptable with an
                                                                     acceptable exposure
                                                                     limit (AEL) of 100 ppm.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    [[Page 30415]]
    
    [FR Doc. 99-14356 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/8/1999
Published:
06/08/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Notice of acceptability.
Document Number:
99-14356
Dates:
June 8, 1999.
Pages:
30410-30415 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-6355-8
PDF File:
99-14356.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 82