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Ice Rinks and the Phaseout of HCFC-22 What You Need to Know


What Is the HCFC Phaseout?


Under the U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the United States is phasing out the production and import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in order to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. By phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like HCFCs, we are reducing the risk of skin cancer caused by exposure to UV radiation. In addition, many of these ozone-depleting substances, as well as their substitutes, are greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.


No Immediate Change Is Required


HCFC-22 is used as a refrigerant in many applications, including ice rinks. Starting on January 1, 2020, U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 will end. This does not mean that use of HCFC-22 must stop at that time. Since a significant inventory of virgin HCFC-22 exists, and recovered and reclaimed material will be available, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expects use of HCFC-22 to continue well into the future.


Planning for the Future Is Important


Even though there is no immediate need for change, supply of HCFC-22 will decline over the next few years, and prices may rise. For existing HCFC-22 systems, this makes tightening leaks and performing preventive maintenance even more important to keep refrigerant emissions down and reduce the need to purchase additional HCFC-22. When the time does come to replace or retrofit an existing system, there are many alternatives available that are safer for the environment. EPA has listed several examples of alternatives in the table on the next page.


What Alternatives Can Be Used Instead of HCFC-22?


Many alternatives that are safer for the environment than HCFC-22 are available for use both in new rinks and in existing systems that require retrofit. See the table on the next page for a list of some acceptable non-ozone- depleting alternatives under EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program. Some of these alternatives are listed for use in retrofitted HCFC-22 systems, and others are only listed for new ice rink refrigeration systems. A full list of acceptable alternatives under SNAP is available at www.epa.gov/ ozone/snap/refrigerants/lists/icerinks.html.


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