How are ozone-depleting substances being phased out?
Many alternatives exist in the former applications of ODS, involving both substitute chemicals and alternative technologies. In existing uses of ODS, conservation, recovery, recycling and leak prevention are important routes to near-term reductions in emissions. In refrigeration and air conditioning, the main alternative to ODS is to use a non-CFC refrigerant, such as a hydrocarbon or ammonia. HCFCs are being used in some applications, but only as stop gaps, or ‘transitional substances’, since they too are due to be phased out eventually due to their ozone-depletion potential. Some hydrofluoro-carbons (HFCs) are also being used. HFCs contain no chlorine and are ozone benign. However, they are potent greenhouse gases. For existing refrigeration and cooling equipment, proper maintenance can reduce leakage considerably. This also cuts costs. Some equipment can be retrofitted for alternative chemicals. CFCs from old refrigerators and air conditioners are increasingly being recovered and re
