Final answer:
The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program is an EPA initiative that evaluates and regulates substitutes for ozone-depleting substances, listing alternatives that pose lower health and environmental risks, including HFCs and HCFCs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) program designed to evaluate and regulate substitutes for ozone-depleting substances. Established under Section 612 of the Clean Air Act, SNAP lists acceptable and unacceptable alternatives in various industrial sectors, including refrigeration and air conditioning, based on their ozone-depleting potential, global warming potential, flammability, and toxicity.
Specifically, the SNAP program identifies refrigerants with lower overall risks to human health and the environment, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The EPA provides guidance on which substances can be used as alternatives to the more harmful ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and carbon tetrachloride. This replaces harmful substances like CFCs which have been phased out under international agreements like the Montreal Protocol due to their significant impact on ozone depletion.