R-22

Hydrochloroflourocarbon (HCFC) is a reaction of anhydrous hydrogen fluor

ide with chloroform, known to many as the R-22, commonly used as the main coolin
g agent in many air conditioning units. Though banned in developed countries due
to the Clean Air Act section of the Montreal Protocol which aims to eliminate a
ll leading ozone depleting CFCs, R-22 are still used by many developing countrie
s like the Philippines.
Used in residential heat pumps and air-conditioning unit for more than f
our decades, it was recently banned due to its effect to the ozone depletion. In
addition to that, R-22 has been known to be hazardous to human health. Several
incidents have been reported for the past years. Common incidents include explos
ions and leaks in commercial establishments like malls. There are also reports a
bout incidents about counterfeit R-22s in which poses greater threats to its use
rs.
The methane presence in the R-22 rooted from the trihalomethane in the c
hloroform. Trihalomethanes formed by replacing the three hydrogen atoms of metha
ne by halogen atoms like fluorine or chlorine. Thus, R-22 have methane presence
even if methane do not have a direct involvement in the R-22 chemical reaction.
http://www.gov.ph/2011/10/04/denr-prepares-to-phase-out-ozone-depleting-substanc
e-hcfc/
http://www.denr.gov.ph/news-and-features/features/997-the-philippines-and-the-mo
ntreal-protocol-protecting-the-atmosphere-for-future-generations.html
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html
http://www.lennox.com/beforeyoubuy/energy-efficiency/cooling-refrigerants.asp
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/r22-properties-d_365.html
http://www.airefrig.com.au/file/msds/Agas_R22_MSDS_100708.pdf
http://www.metraclark.co.za/blog/contaminated-refrigerant-explosion-kills-3-peop
le
http://mauinow.com/2014/01/30/loud-explosion-at-times-market-attributed-to-compr
essor/
http://www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/001016.pdf
http://www.refrigerants.com/msds/r22.pdf
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/QandA/OTsp99_Q_A.pdf
http://robertlovespi.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/halogenated-forms-of-methane-an-al
phabetical-list/
http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/fc013b8c-7168-40a1-948f-33d3567b9641