Does any one have any more information
on the EPA's recent decision (4 Dec.
96) (4 Dec. 96) to provide an exemption
for HCFC portable fire extinguishers?  

Summary:

Through this action EPA is amending the
Class II Nonessential Products Ban
promulgated under section 610 of the
Clean Air Act Amendments to provide an
exemption for portable fire
extinguishing equipment that contains
hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFCs) for
non-residential applications.  EPA
proposes and is today promulgating this
exemption base on new and complelling
information.  EPA believes an exemption
from the ban on the sales and
distribution of for portable fire
extinguishers used in non-residential
applications that contain HCFCs is
necessary to ensure that an effective
substitute to Halon, a class I ozone
depleter, is readily available.

EPA believes that this ammendment,
while decreasing the regulatory burden
on HCFC extinguishant manufacturers and
distributors, will not compromise the
goals of protecting public health and
the environment.

Effective Date: January 3, 1997

---------
What is the "new and compelling
information" that EPA has?

Does this exemption apply to the
manufacture of HCFC extinguishers or
just the sales/distribution?

Thanks for any information.

Scott Simpson
Safety Engineer
Omni-Circuits, Inc
[log in to unmask]

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