Protection of Stratospheric Ozone

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 82

[FRL-5969-7]

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of Acceptability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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: February 24, 1998.

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: Carol Weisner at (202) 564-9193 or fax

(202) 565-2095, 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. Aerosols

D. Solvent Cleaning

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

[[Page 9152]]

13044) which described the process for administering the SNAP program

and issued EPA's first acceptability lists for substitutes in the major

industrial use sectors. These sectors include: refrigeration and air

conditioning; foam blowing; solvent cleaning; fire suppression and

explosion protection; sterilants; aerosols; adhesives, coatings and

inks; and tobacco expansion. These sectors compose the principal

industrial sectors that historically consumed the largest volumes of

ozone-depleting compounds.

As described in the final rule for the SNAP program (59 FR 13044),

EPA does not believe that rulemaking procedures are required to list

alternatives as acceptable with no limitations. Such listings do not

impose any sanction, nor do they remove any prior license to use a

substance. Consequently, 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, and June 3, 1997, and published Final Rulemakings

restricting the use of certain substitutes on June 13, 1995 (60 FR

31092), May 22, 1996 (61 FR 25585), and October 16, 1996 (61 FR 54030).

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

following industrial sectors: refrigeration and air conditioning, foam

blowing, aerosols, and solvent cleaning. In this Notice, EPA has split

the refrigeration and air conditioning sector into two parts:

substitutes for class I substances and substitutes for class II

substances. For copies of the full list, contact the EPA Stratospheric

Protection Hotline at (800) 296-1996.

Parts A through D below present a detailed discussion of the

substitute listing determinations by major use sector. Tables

summarizing today's listing decisions are 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 as 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: Class I

1. Clarification

a. Secondary Loop Systems

In the Notice published on March 10, 1997 (62 FR 10700), EPA stated

that it would not review secondary loop fluids under the SNAP program.

In the final rule of June 13, 1995 (60 FR 31092), however, EPA listed

the first set of acceptable substitute refrigerants for heat transfer

fluids. EPA has received requests to further clarify the distinction

between the use of a fluid in a secondary fluid system (which is not

regulated under SNAP), and the use of such a fluid in a heat exchange

system (which is regulated under SNAP).

A key characteristic of a secondary loop system is that it

contains, as an integral part, a system that moves heat from a cooled

area to a warmer one, thereby reversing the natural flow of heat. The

secondary loop simply carries heat as an adjunct to the primary loop's

effect. For example, in a building chiller, the primary loop uses a

vapor compression or other cycle to refrigerate water. This chilled

water then circulates throughout the building and fans blow air over

the cold pipes to air condition occupied spaces. Under the SNAP

program, EPA reviews the refrigerant used in the primary system, but

not the fluid used to carry the chill throughout the building. Note

that a secondary loop moves heat from a warmer area to a cooler one.

Thus, neither loop within a cascade refrigeration system is considered

a secondary loop.

In contrast, a heat transfer system's primary effect is to move

heat from a warmer area to a cooler one. Thus, the heat transfer fluid

is the primary refrigerant and it delivers the actual cooling. An

example of this type of system is a thermosyphon transformer. A liquid

heat transfer fluid absorbs heat from hot electrical components,

vaporizes, and rises into a cooling heat exchanger, where it gives off

the heat to the surrounding air. There are also heat transfer systems

that rely on a pump, but their primary function is still to move heat

in the direction it naturally flows. In essence, a heat transfer system

augments or assists natural heat flow as the primary effect, rather

than augmenting a primary loop that reverses the natural heat flow.

b. Definition of MVAC Under SNAP

Under the SNAP program, the motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC)

end-use includes all forms of air conditioning that provide cooling to

the passenger compartments in moving vehicles. This definition includes

both MVACS, defined at 40 CFR 82.32, and MVAC-like equipment, defined

at 40 CFR 82.152. EPA regulations issued under sections 608 and 609 of

the Clean Air Act distinguished between MVACS and MVAC-like equipment

for purposes of refrigerant recycling and handling. EPA includes both

in the SNAP MVAC end-use and has relied on this definition since the

original SNAP rule of March 18, 1994 (59 FR 13044); today's Notice

simply clarifies this definition. All use conditions, unacceptability

findings, and other regulatory actions for this end-use apply equally

to on-road vehicles, such as automobiles and trucks, and to off-road

vehicles, such as tractors, combines, construction, and mining

equipment.

c. Use of Adapters With Refrigerant Identifiers in MVACs

In the June 3, 1997 SNAP Notice (62 FR 32075), EPA clarified that

manifold gauge sets may be used with multiple refrigerants, provided

that for each refrigerant there is a separate set of hoses with

permanently attached

[[Page 9153]]

fittings unique to that refrigerant. Today, EPA further clarifies that

refrigerant identifiers may be used with multiple refrigerants under

the same proviso. The connection between the identifier or similar

service equipment and the service hose may be standardized and work

with multiple hoses. For each refrigerant, the user must attach a hose

to the identifier that has a fitting unique to that refrigerant

permanently attached to the end going to the vehicle. Adapters may not

be attached for one refrigerant and then removed and replaced with the

fitting for a different refrigerant. The guiding principle is that once

attached to a hose, the fitting is permanent and is not removed. This

procedure allows identifiers and other service equipment to be used

with more than one refrigerant while still preventing the attachment

and detachment of unique fittings from hoses. Note that for recovery,

recycling, or other equipment used to transfer refrigerant, hoses must

include shutoff valves and must have the refrigerant recovered prior to

changing hoses from one refrigerant to another, but for low-flow

devices like refrigerant identifiers, there are no such requirements.

2. Acceptable Substitutes

Note that EPA acceptability does not imply that an acceptable

substitute is technically viable or has been optimized for a given type

of equipment within an end-use. Engineering expertise must be used to

determine the appropriate use of substitutes for ozone depleting

chemicals. In addition, although some alternatives are listed as

acceptable substitutes for multiple refrigerants, they may not be

appropriate for use in all equipment or under all conditions.

a. Self-Chilling Cans Using Carbon Dioxide as the Refrigerant

Self-chilling cans using carbon dioxide are acceptable substitutes

for CFC-12, R-502, and HCFC-22 in retrofitted and new household

refrigeration, transport refrigeration, vending machines, cold storage

warehouses, and retail food refrigeration.

This technology represents a product substitute intended to replace

several types of refrigeration equipment. A self-chilling can includes

a heat transfer unit that performs the same function as one half of the

traditional vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. The unit contains a

charge of refrigerant that is released to the atmosphere when the user

activates the cooling unit. As the refrigerant is released to the

atmosphere it absorbs heat from the can's contents and evaporates, thus

cooling the liquid inside the can. Because this process provides the

same cooling effect as household refrigeration, transport

refrigeration, vending machines, cold storage warehouses, or retail

food refrigeration, it is a substitute for CFC-12, R-502, or HCFC-22 in

these systems.

In a recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, EPA proposed that self-

chilling cans using HFC-134a or HFC-152a as the refrigerant were

unacceptable substitutes (63 FR 5491; February 3, 1998). In contrast to

HFC-134a, which has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1300,

CO2 has a GWP of 1. Therefore, the potential impact of

CO2 use in self-chilling cans versus HFC-134a will be much

lower. In addition, the submitter indicates that the self-chilling cans

will use CO2 either recovered as a by-product from other

industrial activities or taken from the atmosphere, thus further

reducing the net impact.

CO2 exhibits very high pressures compared to some other

refrigerants including HFC-134a. The submitter indicated that an

alternative technology would prevent internal pressures within the heat

exchange unit from exceeding 150 psig. EPA believes that this design is

within acceptable limits, since this pressure will exist within the

heat exchange unit rather than the outer can containing the beverage;

if this pressure is transmitted to the can (which is not expected),

existing beverage cans are designed to withstand equivalent pressure.

In addition, tabs used to open existing cans are designed to open

automatically at 200 psig, providing a safety valve if high pressures

do develop.

EPA's determination that self-chilling cans using CO2

are acceptable substitutes in the end-uses listed above is based on the

maximum design pressure of 150 psig and the intent to use

CO2 recaptured from other activities or from the atmosphere.

EPA invites information about the pressures actually found in self-

chilling cans once they are produced and on the specific sources for

CO2. If either the cans exceed 150 psig in pressure or use

newly produced CO2, EPA may revisit today's decision.

b. THR-01

THR-01, composed of HCFC-22 and HFC-152a, is acceptable as a

substitute for CFC-12 in the following new systems:

Household Refrigerators

Household Freezers

Because this blend contains an HCFC, it contributes to ozone

depletion. However, this concern is mitigated by the scheduled phaseout

of this chemical. Regulations regarding recycling and reclamation

issued under section 608 of the Clean Air Act (58 FR 28660) apply to

this blend. This blend is flammable, but significantly less so than

pure HFC-152a. A risk assessment showed that HFC-152a can be safely

used in newly designed household refrigerators and freezers; since HFC-

152a is listed as acceptable in these end-uses, and THR-01 poses lower

flammability risk than pure HFC-152a, THR-01 is also acceptable. The

GWP of HFC-152a is much less than that of HCFC-22; again, since HCFC-22

is listed as acceptable, THR-01 is also acceptable.

c. FRIGC FR-12

FRIGC FR-12, which consists of HCFC-124, HFC-134a, and butane, is

acceptable as a substitute for R-500 in the following new and

retrofitted end-uses:

Centrifugal Chillers

Reciprocating Chillers

Industrial Process Refrigeration

Cold Storage Warehouses

Refrigerated Transport

Retail Food Refrigeration

Vending Machines

Water Coolers

Commercial Ice Machines

Residential Dehumidifiers

and as a substitute for CFC-12 in centrifugal chillers.

This blend contains HCFC-124. Therefore, it contributes to ozone

depletion, but to a much lesser degree than R-500. Regulations

regarding recycling and reclamation issued under section 608 of the

Clean Air Act (58 FR 28660) apply to this blend. The GWPs of the

components are moderate to low. This blend is nonflammable, and leak

testing has demonstrated that the blend never becomes flammable.

d. Galden Fluids

Galden Fluids, which contain perfluoroethers and perfluorocarbons,

are acceptable substitutes for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, and

CFC-115 in retrofitted heat transfer systems. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

offer high dielectric resistance, noncorrosivity, thermal stability,

materials compatibility, chemical inertness, low toxicity, and

nonflammability. In addition, they do not contribute to ground-level

ozone formation or stratospheric ozone depletion. The principal

characteristic of concern for PFCs is that they have long atmospheric

lifetimes and have the potential to contribute to global climate

change.

[[Page 9154]]

PFCs are also included in the Climate Change Action Plan, which broadly

instructs EPA to use section 612 of the Clean Air Act, as well as

voluntary programs, to control emissions. Despite these concerns, EPA

is listing PFCs as acceptable in retrofitted heat transfer applications

because they may be the only substitutes that can satisfy safety or

performance requirements. For example, a transformer may require very

high dielectric strength, or a heat transfer system for a chlorine

manufacturing process could require compatibility with the process

stream.

In cases where users must adopt PFCs (or PFC-containing blends like

the Galden Fluids) to transition out of ozone depleting chemicals, they

should make every effort to:

Recover and recycle these fluids during servicing;

Adopt maintenance practices that reduce leakage as much as

is technically feasible;

Recover these fluids after the end of the equipment's

useful life and either recycle them or destroy them; and

Continue to search for other long-term alternatives.

Users of PFCs should note that if other alternatives become

available, EPA could be petitioned to list PFCs as unacceptable due to

the availability of other suitable substitutes. If such a petition were

granted, EPA may grandfather existing uses upon consideration of cost

and timing of testing and implementation of new substitutes. EPA urges

industry to develop new alternatives for this end-use that do not

contain substances with such high GWPs and long lifetimes.

e. R-508A and R-508B

R-508A and R-508B, both of which contain HFC-23 and R-116, are

acceptable as substitutes for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in retrofitted

and new very low temperature refrigeration and industrial process

refrigeration. Notices published on July 28, 1995 (60 FR 38729) and

Feb. 8, 1996 (61 FR 4736) listed R-508 as acceptable in these end-uses.

At the time of these listings, only R-508 was available. Since then,

two blends with the same components in different percentages have

entered the market. Today's Notice expands the acceptable listing to

include both R-508A and R-508B.

B. Foam Blowing

1. Acceptable Substitutes

Under section 612 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is authorized to review

substitutes for class I (CFCs) and class II (HCFCs) chemicals. The

following listing expands the list of acceptable substitutes for CFCs

and HCFCs in integral skin applications.

a. Polyurethane Integral Skin Foam

(a) Formic Acid

Formic acid is an acceptable substitute for CFCs and HCFCs in

polyurethane integral skin foam. Formic acid is more flammable than

CFCs and HCFCs but less flammable than hydrocarbons such as n-pentane

and cyclopentane which are currently used in foam blowing. Use of

formic acid may require additional investment to assure safe handling

and shipping as prescribed by OSHA and DOT. The TVL-TWA for formic acid

is 5 ppm and a 15-minute TLV-STEL of 10 ppm. Formic acid has no ODP and

very low or zero global warming potential (GWP). It is a volatile

organic compound (VOC) and must be controlled as such under Title I of

the Clean Air Act. Relevant consumer product and other safety

requirements necessary for use of formic acid-blown integral skin foam

would have to be met.

(b) Acetone

Acetone is an acceptable substitute for CFCs and HCFCs in

polyurethane integral skin foam. Acetone is more flammable than CFCs

and HCFCs but less flammable than hydrocarbons such as n-pentane and

cyclopentane which are currently used for foam blowing. Use of acetone

may require additional investment to assure safe handling and shipping

as prescribed by OSHA and DOT. The OSHA PEL-TWA for acetone is 750 ppm

and a 15-minute STEL of 1000 ppm. Acetone has no ODP and very low or

zero global warming potential (GWP). Acetone has been excluded from the

definition of a VOC under Title I of the Clean Air Act (60 FR 31633; 6/

15/95) but may be subject to state or local controls. Relevant consumer

product and other safety requirements necessary for use of acetone-

blown integral skin foam would have to be met.

C. Aerosols

1. Acceptable Substitutes

Organic solvents can be used to replace CFC-11, CFC-113, and MCF,

in certain cleaning operations. This classification category of

chemicals was previously determined under the SNAP program to include

C6-C20 petroleum hydrocarbons (both naturally and synthetically

derived) (59 FR 13044).

Under section 612 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is authorized to review

substitutes for class I (CFCs) and class II (HCFCs) chemicals. The

following decision expands the existing acceptable listing for

petroleum hydrocarbons as substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs in aerosols

solvents to include petroleum hydrocarbon C5.

(a) Aerosol Solvent

(1) Petroleum Hydrocarbon (C5)

Petroleum hydrocarbon C5 is an acceptable substitute for CFCs and

HCFCs in aerosol solvents. Petroleum hydrocarbons are fractionated from

the distillation of petroleum. These compounds are loosely grouped into

paraffins or aliphatic hydrocarbons and light aromatics (toluene and

xylene) and come in various stages of purity. Components with up to

twenty carbons are now also being used in an effort to reduce

flammability. These compounds have good solvent properties, are

relatively inexpensive, and are readily available from chemical

distributors. When a controlled substance is used only as a diluent,

such as automotive undercoatings, substitution using petroleum

hydrocarbons can be achieved with minor reformulation. Many of these

products containing petroleum hydrocarbons have been reported to be

comparable to or to outperform their chlorinated counterparts.

Petroleum hydrocarbons are, however, flammable and thus cannot be

used as replacement solvents in applications where the solvent must be

nonflammable such as electronic cleaning applications. In addition,

pesticide aerosols formulated with certain petroleum hydrocarbons must

adhere to requirements imposed under the Federal Insecticide,

Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

2. Clarification

(a) n-Propyl-Bromide

Review of the SNAP submission docket control number VI-D-114 for n-

propyl-bromide has disclosed that a submission for the Aerosol sector

has yet to be received. As such, all distribution and sale into this

area must cease until a complete submission is obtained and the

necessary review period has elapsed.

D. Solvent Cleaning

1. Clarification

a. Hydrofluoroether (HFE): C4F9OCH3

In reference to the Federal Register dated September 5, 1996, HFE

7100 was characterized as exhibiting moderate toxicity (61 FR 47012).

This Notice serves to inform users that additional toxicity data

indicate that a characterization of low toxicity is now

[[Page 9155]]

warranted. This revision is made based on the 600 ppm 8-hr Time

Weighted Average workplace standard set by the manufacturer. As with

workplace exposure standards for other CFC alternatives, this standard

will be examined by the Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit

subcommittee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

b. Definition of Solvent Cleaning End Uses

In reference to the Federal Register dated March 18, 1994, the

solvents cleaning sector was subdivided into three end uses; metals

cleaning, electronics cleaning, and precision cleaning. This notice

serves to further clarify the definition of these end uses in order to

avoid any confusion as to user placement.

(1) Electronics Cleaning

Primarily the removal of flux residues from wiring assemblies after

a soldering operation has been completed. This is considered a high

value end use application where performance is critical.

(2) Metals Cleaning

The removal of a wide variety of contaminants from metal objects

during a manufacturing or maintenance process. At each stage in the

manufacturing process contaminants must be removed from the piece to

ensure a clean metal surface for the next step in the production

process or for final consumption. These parts tend to be metal objects

ranging from fully assembled aircraft down to small metal parts stamped

out in high volume. These contaminants are most often greases, cutting

oils, coatings, large particles, and metal chips.

(3) Precision Cleaning

Applies to components and surfaces of any composition for which an

extremely high level of cleanliness is necessary to ensure satisfactory

performance during the manufacturing process or in final consumption.

This end use is characterized as very high value end use segment based

on a non-cost criteria. Examples of such criteria would be: high value

products, protection or safeguarding of human life, compatibility

concerns with plastics, temperature and mechanical stress limitations,

precision mechanical assemblies/components with demanding machining

tolerances or complex geometries, and base or mix of metals readily

pitted, corroded, eroded or otherwise compromised.

2. Acceptable Substitutes

Under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is authorized to review

substitutes for class I (CFCs) and class II (HCFCs) chemicals. The

following listing expands the list of acceptable petroleum hydrocarbon

substitutes for CFCs, HCFCs and MCF as used in semiaqueous and straight

organic solvent cleaning to include C5.

(a) Metals, Precision and Electronics Cleaning

(1) Semi-aqueous

Petroleum hydrocarbon C5 is an acceptable substitute for CFCs and

HCFCs in semi-aqueous solvents. Semi-aqueous cleaners are alternatives

for cleaning in all three SNAP solvent cleaning end-uses. These

cleaners employ hydrocarbons/surfactant either emulsified in water

solutions or applied in concentrated form and then rinsed with water.

As both approaches involve water as part of the formulation, the system

is commonly referred to as ``semi-aqueous.'' The principal categories

of chemicals used in this formulation were previously defined under the

SNAP program as terpenes, C6-C20 petroleum hydrocarbons (both naturally

or synthetically derived), or oxygenated solvents (such as alcohols)

(59 FR 13044). This determination expands petroleum hydrocarbons to

include C5.

An extensive discussion of various semi-aqueous cleaning

alternatives may be found in the Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer

Protection (ICOLP) documents on the subject. Users can obtain these

documents from the EPA Stratospheric Protection Hotline at 1-800-296-

1996.

(b) Straight Organic Solvent Cleaning

(1) Petroleum Hydrocarbon (C5)

Petroleum hydrocarbon C5 is an acceptable substitute for CFCs and

HCFCs as a straight organic solvent. Organic solvents can be used to

replace CFC-113 and MCF in certain cleaning operations. This

classification is defined to include terpenes, C5-C20 petroleum

hydrocarbons (both naturally and synthetically derived), and oxygenated

organic solvents such as alcohols, ethers, (including propylene glycol

ethers), esters and ketones. These compounds are commonly used in

solvent tanks at room temperature, although the solvents can also be

used in-line cleaning systems or be heated to increase solvency power.

If heated, the solvents must be used in equipment designed to control

vapor losses.

These solvents, unlike class I and II compounds, do not contribute

to stratospheric ozone depletion, and generally have short atmospheric

lifetimes. Yet many of the organic solvents are regulated as VOCs

because they can contribute to ground level ozone formation. In

addition, certain of the organic solvents are toxic to human health and

are subject to waste handling standards under the Resource Conservation

and Recovery Act (RCRA) and to workplace standards set by Occupational

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For example, xylene and

toluene may be used as substitutes but are, once they become wastes,

regulated under RCRA as listed or characteristic wastes.

E. Adhesives, Coatings & Inks

1. Clarification

(a) n-Propyl-Bromide

Review of the SNAP submission, docket control number VI-D-114, for

n-propyl-bromide has disclosed that a submission for the Adhesives,

Coatings & Inks sector has yet to be received. As such, all

distribution and sale into this sector must cease until a complete

submission is obtained and the mandatory 90-day review period has

elapsed.

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). Federal Register notices can be ordered from the

Government Printing Office Order Desk (202) 783-3238; the citation is

the date of publication. This Notice may also be obtained on the World

Wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/snap/snap.html.

The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996, does not apply

because this action is not a rule, as that term is defined in 5 U.S.C.

804(3).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 82

Environmental Protection, Administrative Practice and Procedure,

Air Pollution Control, Reporting and Record keeping Requirements.

[[Page 9156]]

Dated: February 12, 1998.

Richard D. Wilson,

Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.

Note: The following Appendix will not appear in the Code of

Federal Regulations.

Appendix A: Summary of Acceptable Decisions

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End-use Substitute Decision Comments

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CFC-12, R-502, and HCFC-22 Household Self-chilling cans using carbon dioxide........... Acceptable........................ This decision is based

Refrigeration, Transport on a maximum design

Refrigeration, Vending Machines, Cold pressure of 150 psig

Storage Warehouses, and Retail Food and the use of CO2

Refrigeration (Retrofit and New). captured from either

other industrial

activities or the

atmosphere.

CFC-12 Household Refrigerators and THR01............................................. Acceptable. ........................

Freezers (New).

R-500 Centrifugal and Reciprocating FR-12............................................. Acceptable ........................

Chillers, Industrial Process

Refrigeration, Cold Storage

Warehouses, Refrigerated Transport,

Retail Food Refrigeration, Vending

Machines, Water Coolers, Commercial

Ice Machines, and Residential

Dehumidifers, and CFC-12 Centrifugal

Chillers (Retrofit and New).

CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC- Galden Fluids..................................... Acceptable........................ The principal

115 Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer environmental

(Retrofit). characteristic of

concern for PFCs is

that they have high

GWPs and long

atmospheric lifetimes.

CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 Very Low R-508A and R-508B................................. Acceptable........................ This listing expands the

Temperature Refrigeration and prior determination for

Industrial Process Refrigeration R-508 to R-508A and R-

(Retrofit and New). 508B.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foam Blowing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CFCs and HCFCs, Polyurethane Integral Formic Acid....................................... Acceptable........................ Formic acid is flammable

Skin. thus additional

investment may be

required to ensure safe

handling, use and

shipping for flammable

materials. Formic acid

is a VOC and subject to

control under Title I

of the Clean Air Act.

Acetone........................................... Acceptable........................ Acetone is flammable

thus additional

investment may be

required to ensure safe

handling, use and

shipping.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aerosol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CFC-11, CFC-113, MCF, and HCFC-141b as C5-C20 Petroleum hydrocarbons..................... Acceptable........................ Petroleum hydrocarbons

aerosol solvents. are flammable. Use with

the necessary

precautions. Pesticides

aerosols must adhere to

FIFRA standards.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solvent Cleaning

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Metals cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF........ Straight organic solvent cleaning with petroleum Acceptable........................ OSHA standards must be

hydrocarbon C5. met, if applicable.

Semi-aqueous cleaners............................. Acceptable........................ EPA effluent guidelines

must be met.

Electronics cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF... Straight organic solvent cleaning with petroleum Acceptable........................ OSHA standards must be

hydrocarbon C5. met, if applicable.

Semi-aqueous cleaners............................. Acceptable........................ EPA effluent guidelines

must be met.

Precision Cleaning w/CFC-113, MCF..... Straight organic solvent cleaning with petroleum Acceptable........................ OSHA standards must be

hydrocarbon C5. met, if applicable.

Semi-aqueous cleaners............................. Acceptable........................ EPA effluent guidelines

must be met.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 98-4654 Filed 2-23-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P