A WORD ABOUT THE OZONE LAYER

 The ozone layer forms a thin shield located about 6-30
 miles above the Earth's surface. By blocking out most of
 the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer
 protects against skin cancer, cataracts, and suppression of
 the immune system.
 United States
 Environmentaf Protection
 Agency
EPA 430-F-95-092
June 1995
 Using ground, aircrafi^amer satellite measurements, scientists
                  §& w
 studying the link between CFCs and ozone depletion
 since the mid-1970s have produced conclusive evidence
 that CFCs are responsible for ozone depletion. Much of
 the recent attention has focused on the Antarctic "ozone
 hole," a seasonal loss of 60% of the ozone at the South
 Pole. A small but significant amount of ozone loss
 (5-10%) has also occurred over the United States.
 Actions to protect the ozone layer go back to the 1978
 ban on the use of CFCs in most spray cans. More  recently,
 over 150 nations have agreed to an internatifeplif treaty
 to protect the ozone layer.
Office of Air and Radiation (6205J)	
UNDERHOOD TIPS TO HELP
You KEEP YOUR COOL
Servicing Vehicle
Air-Conditioning Systems
During the CFC Phaseout
      Recycled/Recyclable
T~X.iV) Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Recycled Paper
   ~~  (50% Postconsumer)

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(AND How You CAN  HELP SAVE THE OZONE LAYER)
I/id you notice the last time you had your vehicle's a/c
system serviced that it cost more than it did a few years
ago? These higher costs may in part be due to global
efforts to protect the ozone layer. The refrigerant in all
but the most recent model year vehicles is chlorofluoro-
carbon-12 (also known  as CFC-12, R-12, or by the brand
name Freon). Scientists  have determined that CFC-12
depletes the ozone layer, which protects us from
overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. It will no longer
be produced in developed  countries after 1995.
The following tips should help you to  maintain the cool
in your vehicle's a/c system before and after the CFC-12
production ban.

2f Your service technician can keep  putting CFC-12
   refrigerant In your vehicle's system as long as sup-
   plies are available. While production of CFG-12
   ceases at the end of 1995, use of existing  supplies of
   CFC-12 is permitted.The recycling of CFC-12, along
   with existing reserves, should ensure that supplies of
   the refrigerant will continue to be available, although
   prices will most likely continue to increase as existing
   stocks are depleted.

2f If refrigerant needs to be added to your vehicle's a/c
   system, have your service technician check the sys-
   tem for leaks, and have leaks repaired. Keep in mind
   that leak repair  is not an EPA requirement, although
   a few areas (Florida;Wisconsin; parts of California;
   the cities of Austin.Texas, and Albuquerque, New
                         Mexico; and possibly others)
                          do require it. Repairing
                           leaks will save you money
                             in the long run as the
                               cost of CFC-12
                                     increases.
H Consider having your system converted to
   use an alternative refrigerant if you are
   having major service performed on your
   ale system, such as when—
   • you have been in a front-end collision, or
   • you have experienced major a/c system failure.

The additional cost of doing the conversion over and above
the cost of the repair work may be  small. In addition,
over the next few years, as the supply of CFC-12 decreases
and its cost increases, consider modifying your system to
use an EPA-accepted alternative.
Keep  in mind that using an alternative not yet reviewed
and accepted by EPA (such as any flammable refrigerant)
may result in damage to your a/c system components,
pose a potential fire hazard, and/or limit your ability to
have your vehicle's system serviced in the future.
Currently, R-134a is the only EPA-accepted alternative
which has been tested and recommended by automakers.
R-l 34a is the refrigerant used in all new car production.

2f If you do want to convert your vehicle to use a differ-
   ent refrigerant, consult your vehicle manufacturer or
   an authorized dealer or reputable service facility about
   what steps should be taken and what the conversion
   will cost. If in  doubt, get a second opinion.
               For more Information, you can call the
               EPA Stratospheric Ozone Information
               Hotline between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST,
             i. Monday through Friday, at
               (600) 296-1996.

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