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Motorists warned against flammable auto refrigerants
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Posted on May 12 2000
Government Consumer Counsel David Lochabay yesterday warned Northern Marianas motorists against the use of dangerous cooling substances in automobile air-conditioning systems that may cause fire or explosion.
According to Mr. Lochabay, the Environmental Protection Agency has been receiving calls about the alleged practice of some unscrupulous persons who charge vehicle air-conditioning systems with flammable and highly dangerous substances.
While CFC-12 or R-12 or popularly known as freon is found to be an efficient and non-flammable cooling gas, Mr. Lochabay said EPA has banned its production since 1995 because it contains compounds that attack the ozone layer.
Mr. Lochabay explained that air conditioning systems which have contained R-12 cannot be refilled directly with R-134a, an environmentally- and motorist-friendly refrigerant gas that is now being used to replace freon.
However, R-134a could not be charged to R-12 air-conditioning systems unless converted, which, Mr. Lochabay said is too costly.
Because of this, some individuals and companies have started installing alternate refrigerant gasses that are not approved by the federal environmental protection body.
“Some of these alternate refrigerants are flammable and dangerous, and could cause an air-conditioning unit to catch fire, and perhaps explode. Others are simply not very effective refrigerants and won’t cool the car,” the government lawyer said.
He pointed out that automotive air-conditioning systems are not designed to use flammable substances, adding that attempts to use them can lead to explosive incidents, damaging property and causing injuries to people.
Types of flammable refrigerants that currently flood the marker include generic propane, butane, isobutane and other hydrocarbon mixtures that may be purchased at most hardware stores and supply centers.
These mixtures are all relatively new and are being aggressively marketed to both consumers and service technicians for use in automotive air-conditioning systems. (ARF)
