R-410A does not deplete ozone. Why is releasing it to the atmosphere still an environmental concern?
Environmental impacts · EPA 608 Core. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
How CFCs and HCFCs destroy stratospheric ozone, and what that does to health and the environment.
The question
R-410A does not deplete ozone. Why is releasing it to the atmosphere still an environmental concern?
- It has a high global warming potentialCorrect answer
- It turns into smog at ground level
- It breaks down into chlorine in sunlight
- It reacts with ozone in the lower atmosphere
Why “It has a high global warming potential” is correct
R-410A is an HFC blend with zero ozone depletion potential, but many HFCs have a high global warming potential (GWP). Released refrigerant traps heat in the atmosphere, so venting HFCs is still prohibited.
Source: EPA: Test Topics
Why the other answers are wrong
- It turns into smog at ground level — R-410A is not a smog-forming pollutant.
- It breaks down into chlorine in sunlight — HFCs contain no chlorine, so they cannot release it.
- It reacts with ozone in the lower atmosphere — With no chlorine, R-410A does not destroy ozone at any altitude.
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