From: JEFFREY LEVY 
Subject: R-409A, MT-31, Duracool
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997

I've received several inquiries recently on three refrigerants:
R-409A, MT-31, and Duracool.  Right up front, let be perfectly clear:
Replacing R-12 with any of these in a motor vehicle air conditioner is
a violation of federal law.  Period.

First, R-409A.  We listed it as an acceptable substitute for R-12 in a
number of stationary uses, but NOT in motor vehicle AC.  Furthermore, the
manufacturer, Elf Atochem, doesn't want R-409A used in motor vehicle AC, so
they haven't developed unique fittings or labels.  They have set up a
hotline at 1-800-retro95 where you can get more info.

Second, MT-31.  This is a new refrigerant that we intend to list as an
acceptable substitute for R-12 in a number of stationary uses, but NOT in
motor vehicle AC.  The manufacturer, Millenia Tech, doesn't want MT-31 used
in motor vehicle AC, and they haven't developed unique fittings or labels.
Furthermore, we haven't even finalized the decision on stationary uses.

Third:  Duracool.  This is just HC-12a being marketed under a different
name by an Australian company.  It is made in Canada.  It is precisely
the same refrigerant as HC-12a, so it is just as illegal to replace R-12
with this product in motor vehicle air conditioners.

See our web site (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609) for info on MVACs,
including fact sheets specifically listing alternative refrigerants and
others discussing the legal status of HC-12a under the SNAP program.

Two more items:  1) our next Notice, the one that will list MT-31 for
stationary uses (but not MVAC!) will also list a new refrigerant that is
acceptable, subject to use conditions, in MVACs:  GHG-X5.  You may see ads
for it.
2) We recently updated the web versions of several fact sheets to discuss
the requirement to add a high-pressure compressor shutoff switch when
retrofitting any system that includes a pressure relief device.
The requirement has been in place for over 2 years, but it hasn't received
as much attention as the fittings and labeling rules.
It's still a requirement, though.  See the fact sheet titled
"Choosing and Using..." for more details.
_________________________________
Jeffrey Levy
USEPA Stratospheric Protection Division
levy.jeffrey@epamail.epa.gov
EPA & Ozone Depletion Web Site - http://www.epa.gov/ozone/