Question

After what year individual servicing and disposing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment are prohibited from knowingly venting refrigerant into the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The Montreal Protocol of 1987 and subsequent regulations have led to a significant reduction in the release of harmful chemicals, such as CFCs, into the atmosphere, aiming to prevent further damage to the ozone layer. Service technicians are prohibited from intentionally venting refrigerants into the atmosphere during the maintenance and disposal of equipment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Impact of Refrigerants on the Ozone Layer and Regulations

The concern over the damage caused to the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other harmful gases has led to international protocols and agreements aimed at preventing these substances from being released into the atmosphere. Manufacturing and servicing personnel dealing with air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment have been mandated to adhere to these protocols, especially after the Montreal Protocol was established in 1987. Since then, CFCs have been mostly phased out, with complete elimination targeted for different timelines, depending on the substance and the development status of the country.

After the discovery of the depletion of the ozone layer by CFCs, countries around the world took action to mitigate this issue. The Montreal Protocol was a significant step in this direction, ushering in not just a reduction in the production of harmful chemicals but also developing alternatives and mandating proper handling and disposal to prevent venting into the atmosphere. People and corporations involved in the service and disposal of such equipment were required to prevent intentional release of refrigerants into the atmosphere.

Since the mid-1990s, a significant reduction in the release of CFCs and related compounds has occurred due to these international efforts. Moreover, service technicians are prohibited from knowingly venting refrigerants into the atmosphere during service, maintenance, and disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. These regulations were enhanced and enforced under the Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendments.