EPA Reiterates Fire, Injury Warnings of Unapproved Refrigerants
Refrigerants with ‘22a’ or ‘R-22a’ in the name contain highly flammable hydrocarbons
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is again cautioning homeowners, manufacturers of propane-based refrigerants, home improvement contractors, and air conditioning technicians of the safety hazards related to the use of propane in existing motor vehicle and home air conditioning systems.
According to the EPA, using a propane-based refrigerant in an air conditioner that is not designed to use propane or flammable refrigerants poses a threat to homeowners as well as service technicians, because systems that are recharged with an unapproved alternative called “22a” can catch fire or explode, resulting in injury and property damage. EPA continues to investigate instances where propane-based refrigerants have been illegally marketed and used as substitutes for HCFC-22 (R-22) and will continue to take enforcement actions where appropriate.