Good news on the environmental front

[billvon 3,070]

The ozone hole, a problem caused by CFC's interfering with the production of new ozone, looks like it will gradually start to repair itself as CFC levels in the atmosphere drop. This is good news. The ozone layer is one of the primary protections we have against UV radiation, and its resurgence will result in fewer deaths from skin cancer overall, and less impact on the ecosystem we depend on. It's only starting to recover; at this point all that's really happening is that it's stopped getting worse. It's likely that it will take 50-100 years for the remaining CFC's to dissipate, and for the ozone to return to pre-CFC levels. But it's a great start.

A good example of people making a major effort to save part of the environment - and seeing the beginnings of success. Now all we have to do is maintain what we have already accomplished.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060520/ap_on_sc/japan_ozone_hole;_ylt=AhFzPX7uP2w1CumHiM3.vsKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

[Gravitymaster 0]

So we can all do our part by getting a new refrigerator and AC system. Hmmm I was going to wait a few more years before replacing the AC. Maybe I'll go ahead and buy one this year.

Contractors are using puron or freon 12 arent they? As I recall there is some controversy over both. Puron still contains chlorine and there are some allegations that this is a scam perpetrated by Dupont because their patent on freon R-22 is getting ready to expire. Considering all the chlorine that is released into the atmosphere every year by swimming pools and naturaly by the Earth, I'm wondering if a well maintained AC system isn't a better alternative? Too often consumers and contractors opt for the quick fix on AC systems operating low on refrigerant and simply add more instead of fixing a small leak.

Any idea what % of chlorine is released into the atmosphere due to poorly maintained AC systems and refrigerators as compared to the amount release by natural causes and swimming pools?

[Malkie 0]

Great news!
Now if we could only sort out those carbon emissions then I won't have to worry about that rising sea level...

[shropshire 0]

<> Actually... would it be true to say that having any of these old systems doesn't cause a problem (unless it leaks) untill it needs to be disposed of? So no need to buy new anyway..... The sales peeps are always trying to convince you to buy their stuff before you need/want to.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[billvon 3,070]

>Contractors are using puron or freon 12 arent they?

I think the most common substitute nowadays is R-134a. I believe it can be used as a direct substitute for R-12. It has no free chlorine. I think Puron is R-410a and does not contain free chlorine either.

>Too often consumers and contractors opt for the quick fix on AC systems
> operating low on refrigerant and simply add more instead of fixing a
>small leak.

Yep. At least nowadays service centers reclaim the remaining refrigerant instead of just venting it into the atmosphere.

[kallend 2,106]

Quote

So we can all do our part by getting a new refrigerator and AC system. Hmmm I was going to wait a few more years before replacing the AC. Maybe I'll go ahead and buy one this year.

Contractors are using puron or freon 12 arent they? As I recall there is some controversy over both. Puron still contains chlorine and there are some allegations that this is a scam perpetrated by Dupont because their patent on freon R-22 is getting ready to expire. Considering all the chlorine that is released into the atmosphere every year by swimming pools and naturaly by the Earth, I'm wondering if a well maintained AC system isn't a better alternative? Too often consumers and contractors opt for the quick fix on AC systems operating low on refrigerant and simply add more instead of fixing a small leak.

Any idea what % of chlorine is released into the atmosphere due to poorly maintained AC systems and refrigerators as compared to the amount release by natural causes and swimming pools?

It's been a while since I studied the chemistry, but I believe the free chlorine from swimming pools, etc., isn't the problem since it doesn't reach the stratospheric clouds. The CFCs act as very effective chlorine transports and release Cl-containing free radicals on exposure to UV in the upper atmosphere.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Channman 2]

> A good example of people making a major effort to save part of the environment....

Had a camp fire this weekend, lots of smoke to blot out them there UV radiation stuff.

[billvon 3,070]

>Had a camp fire this weekend, lots of smoke to blot out them there UV radiation stuff.

Yeah, but then you have to keep moving your chair when the wind shifts . . .

[Channman 2]

Thats true, it happened more than once.