CFC redux
The chemical designation CFC, representing chlorofluorocarbons, should be familiar to anyone in this business. It’s the chemical used as the root of the old R-12 refrigerant that was phased out of mobile A/C use in the early to mid-1990s.
Although the chemical was removed by law from large scale use in vehicles and certain manufacturing processes, it has remained in use in certain medical applications. That’s changing now.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the United States will no longer be available next year as part of the continuing phase-out of epinephrine inhalers that use CFCs as a propellant.
The sole remaining product is “Primatene Mist” made by Armstrong Pharmaceutical and used for the temporary relief of occasional symptoms of mild asthma. The FDA had announced in 2008 that the phase-out would be complete at the end of 2011.
Most other manufacturers of inhalers have already switched to a different relief chemistry and propellant, with most using hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) to deliver albuterol instead of epinephrine.
One problem arising from the newer formulation is that albuterol inhalers are only availlable by prescription, while the older style was available over the counter.
When having your mobile A/C system professionally serviced, insist on proper repair procedures and quality replacement parts. Insist on recovery and recycling so that refrigerant can be reused and not released into the atmosphere.
If you’re a service professional and not a MACS member yet, you should be, click here for more information.
You can E-mail us at macsworldwide@macsw.org or visit http://bit.ly/cf7az8 to find a Mobile Air Conditioning Society member repair shop in your area. Visit http://bit.ly/9FxwTh to find out more about your car’s mobile A/C and engine cooling system.
The 32nd annual Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide Convention and Trade Show will take place January 18-20, 2012 at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
