While replacing a compressor, a technician knowingly opens the valves and lets an R-22 charge blow to the…

Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol · EPA 608 Core. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Phaseout dates and the venting prohibitions at servicing, at disposal and for substitutes.

The question

While replacing a compressor, a technician knowingly opens the valves and lets an R-22 charge blow to the air instead of recovering it. Under the Clean Air Act rules, this is:

• AAllowed if the charge is under 50 pounds
• BA violation only if a customer reports it
• CAllowed if the refrigerant is contaminated
• DA violation of the venting prohibitionCorrect answer

Why “A violation of the venting prohibition” is correct

40 CFR 82.154(a) makes it illegal for anyone maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of an appliance to knowingly vent or release refrigerant. Refrigerant must be recovered with certified equipment before the system is opened.

Source: 40 CFR 82.154(a)

Why the other answers are wrong

• Allowed if the charge is under 50 pounds — The 50-pound figure is a leak repair threshold, not a venting allowance.
• A violation only if a customer reports it — A violation is a violation whether or not anyone reports it.
• Allowed if the refrigerant is contaminated — Contaminated refrigerant must still be recovered; it can be sent for reclamation or destruction.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Core practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.