EPA 608 609 Ozone Depletion and Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which class of refrigerants has the highest ozone depletion potential and was scheduled for earliest phaseout?
- HFCs
- HCFCs
- CFCs (Correct answer)
- HFOs
Correct answer: CFCs
CFCs have the highest ODP and were phased out first.
Question 2: HCFCs like R-22 were designed as interim replacements because they have what property?
- Zero ozone depletion potential
- Lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs (Correct answer)
- Higher ozone depletion potential than CFCs
- No global warming potential
Correct answer: Lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs
HCFCs break down more easily, giving them a lower ODP than CFCs.
Question 3: As of regulations, the production and import of HCFC-22 (R-22) for new equipment was banned beginning in which year?
- 2010 (Correct answer)
- 2015
- 2020
- 2030
Correct answer: 2010
Production of R-22 for new equipment was banned starting January 1, 2010.
Question 4: Which refrigerant type has zero ozone depletion potential but can still have a high global warming potential?
- CFCs
- HCFCs
- HFCs (Correct answer)
- Halons
Correct answer: HFCs
HFCs contain no chlorine so have zero ODP, but many have high GWP.
Question 5: Why are CFCs so destructive to the ozone layer compared to natural compounds?
- They are heavier than air
- They are chemically stable and rise intact to the stratosphere (Correct answer)
- They dissolve in rain
- They are flammable
Correct answer: They are chemically stable and rise intact to the stratosphere
Their stability lets them reach the stratosphere where UV breaks them down to release chlorine.
Question 6: The phasedown of HFCs, which protects the climate rather than ozone, was added through which amendment to the Montreal Protocol?
- Kigali Amendment (Correct answer)
- London Amendment
- Copenhagen Amendment
- Beijing Amendment
Correct answer: Kigali Amendment
The Kigali Amendment added a global HFC phasedown to address climate impact.
Question 7: Which U.S. law authorized the HFC phasedown in alignment with the Kigali Amendment?
- The Clean Water Act
- The AIM Act (Correct answer)
- The Energy Policy Act
- The Toxic Substances Control Act
Correct answer: The AIM Act
The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act authorizes the U.S. HFC phasedown.
EPA 608 609 Ozone Depletion and Regulations 3
Which class of refrigerants has the highest ozone depletion potential and was scheduled for earliest phaseout?