Environmental authorities in Canada are warning HVAC technicians and service providers and refrigerant importers that cylinders of counterfeit refrigerant falsely labeled as R-410A have been found in Canada.
The cylinders actually contain a mixture of R-40 (methyl chloride, or chloromethane) and HFCs instead of the expected R-410A, according to a bulletin from Environment and Climate Change Canada. R-40 poses serious risks to human health and safety and should not be used as a replacement for R-410A, the bulletin said.
R-40 is used in counterfeit refrigerants because it is cheaper to produce than HFCs and its behavior in HVAC systems can resemble that of genuine refrigerants, the bulletin said. Even brief exposure to high concentrations of R-40 via inhalation can have significant effects on human health, and, specifically, on the nervous and reproductive systems, the bulletin said.
R-40 is also extremely flammable and corrosive to aluminum and plastics, the bulletin said. R-40 can react with the aluminum inside HVAC systems to generate highly reactive and toxic compounds, and exposure of the system’s contents to air or moisture (such as through servicing) could result in the production of a strong acid and explosive chemical reactions, the bulletin said.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, counterfeit refrigerants can also cause a variety issues in HVAC equipment that may include increased energy use, decreased cooling performance, a significant reduction in the life of equipment, and equipment failures.
All imports of bulk HFC refrigerants into Canada require an authorization issued under the Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (ODSHAR), and the refrigerants must be stored in refillable containers.
Read the Environment and Climate Change Canada bulletin for information on how to detect counterfeit refrigerants, avoid their use, and report them to authorities.
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