EPA Section 608 Universal Certification ExamCoreEasy
Which of the following refrigerants has the highest Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
- AR-22
- BR-12
- CR-134a
- DR-410A
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. R-12
R-12 (CFC-12) is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which contains chlorine and has a very high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). CFCs are the most damaging to the ozone layer.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. R-22 is an HCFC with a non-zero ODP, but lower than CFCs like R-12.
- C. R-134a is an HFC with an ODP of 0.
- D. R-410A is an HFC blend with an ODP of 0.
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
A measure of how much a given chemical compound is estimated to contribute to ozone depletion, relative to the depletion caused by a similar mass of trichlorofluoromethane (R-11).
- CFCs have the highest ODP.
- HCFCs have lower but still significant ODP.
- HFCs have an ODP of 0.
- R-11 is the reference compound with ODP of 1.0.
Memory trick: CFCs are the 'Chief Foes' of the ozone.