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| Background |
In 1994, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the SNAP Program to review alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in motor vehicle air conditioning.
Under the authority of the Clean Air Act, EPA reviews information on substitute refrigerants for chemicals that will be phased out. It publishes a list with acceptable and unacceptable replacements based on information from manufacturers and independent testing laboratories.
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R744 (CO2) has been accepted as an alternative to CFC-12 in Mobile Air Conditioners.
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| Targets |
The definition of motor vehicle air conditioning includes all appliances and equipment mentioned in section 608 and 609 of the Clean Air Act.
The SNAP programme evaluates substitute refrigerants for their:
• Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
• Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Flammability
• Toxicity
• Exposure potential, and
• Cost and availability
They are listed as:
• Acceptable
• Acceptable subject to narrowed use limits, or
• Acceptable subject to use conditions
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| Official documents |
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| Latest & Next steps |
In 2006, EPA proposed to expand the list of acceptable refrigerants for ozone depleting substances. After a public consultation, the Final Rule for R744 (CO2) is now under review at the U.S. EPA Office of General Counsel. Its publication is expected by the end of February 2007. R744 is listed as "acceptable subject to use conditions". It can be used in new vehicles. For the moment, no retrofit with CO2 is foreseen.
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