REFRIGERANTS AND ENVIRONMENT:

Scientific evidence shows that the release of CFC refrigerants (R 11, R 12 and R 502) into the atmosphere is harmful to the environment. CFC's released into the atmosphere are broken down by photolysis to release chlorine atoms which catalytically destroy ozone, the stratospheric gas which acts as a filter of ultra violet light from the Sun. Scientists predict that increased UV light on earth as a result of ozone depletion will, amongst other possible consequences, cause skin cancer, interfere with immune systems and harm aquatic systems and crops.

Furthermore, CFC's along with other 'greenhouse gases' inhibit the release of heat radiated from the earths, thereby contributing to global warming. Scientists predict that if the average global temperature continue to increase, the mean sea levels will rise, with catastrophic consequences in certain areas of the world.

To protect the global environment, an international agreement, the Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, controls the use and production of CFC refrigerants and other ozone depleting substances, and currently mandates that the production of CFC refrigerants R 11, R 12 and R 502 is to be phased out by 1997.

R 11, the most damaging given an ODP of 1, and others are then assigned an ODP between 0 and 1.

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