Emissions to the atmosphere of man-made chemicals, known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have been the focus of recent concern since these compounds have been identified as a significant cause of ozone depletion.

CFCs and compounds containing CFCs have been used in a variety of products over the years since they are nonflammable, relatively nontoxic, and inexpensive. One of the major uses of CFCs and CFC-containing compounds is as a refrigerant. Use of CFC-12, HCFC-22 (a hydrochlorofluorocarbon), and R-502 (an azeotropic mixture of CFC-115 and HCFC-22) are widely used in retail food refrigeration (i.e., grocery and convenience food stores). While this refrigeration application represents a large percentage of the ozone-depleting CFC compounds in use today, very little is known about emissions from these refrigeration systems.

The purpose of this particular pilot study was to develop preliminary information about CFC leakage and servicing emissions, based on contact with industry representatives, as well as from a limited field testing program. This pilot study, as Phase I of a possible multiphase effort, represented an initial effort at developing such information.