Disposal of refrigeration compressors containing chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs) and hydro chloro fluoro carbons (HCFCs) will now be brought on the radar of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board. Old and improperly discarded refrigeration and air-conditioning units are an environmental hazard due to the chemicals leading to depletion of the ozone layer and contributing to the greenhouse effect.
CFCs and HCFCs are used in refrigerators, freezers, aerosol sprays, air-conditioners and solvents. APPCB officials said that they have been receiving complaints pertaining to such compressors lying in the open and added that awareness must be created against such disposal. The first step should be to remove the refrigerant with the help of technicians and then getting a scrap or recycling unit to remove any recyclable or economically significant parts.
“However, under no circumstances should the compressor be disposed at municipal landfills with refrigerants inside the unit as the same may leak into the atmosphere,” said an official. CFCs have also been used as blowing agents for foam insulation for refrigerating units. Chlorine from CFCs and HCFCs depletes the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which is vital for absorbing the harmful ultraviolet radiation and preventing the same from reaching the Earth.
“Developing nations have been given a deadline of 2030 to phase out CFCs and HCFC. Ultimately, HFCs will be used in automobile AC units,” said an official adding that it be made mandatory to remove refrigerants and other chemicals from old refrigerators before retrieving recyclable parts.