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Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)

Substitutes in Coatings

You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.Substitutes are reviewed on the basis of environmental and health risks, including factors such as ozone depletion potential, global warming potential, toxicity, flammability, and exposure potential. Lists of acceptableHelpacceptableThis designation means that a substitute may be used, without restriction, to replace the relevant ODS within the end-use specified. For example, HCFC-22 is an acceptable substitute for R-502 in industrial process refrigeration. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. and UnacceptableHelpUnacceptableThis designation means that it is illegal to use a product as a substitute for an ODS in a specific end-use. For example, HCFC-141b is an unacceptable substitute for CFC-11 in building chillers. Note that all SNAP determinations apply to the use of a specific product as a substitute for a specific ODS in a specific end-use. substitutes are updated several times each year. The list of substitutes is shown below.

Note: SNAP-related information published in the Federal Register takes precedence over all information on this page.

               
Substitute Trade Name(s) ODPHelpODPA number that refers to the amount of ozone depletion caused by a substance. The ODP is the ratio of the impact on ozone of a chemical compared to the impact of a similar mass of CFC-11. Thus, the ODP of CFC-11 is defined to be 1.0. Other CFCs and HCFCs have ODPs that range from 0.01 to 1.0. The halons have ODPs ranging up to 10. Carbon tetrachloride has an ODP of 1.2, and methyl chloroform's ODP is 0.11. HFCs have zero ODP because they do not contain chlorine. A table of all ozone-depleting substances (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/ods/index.html) shows their ODPs, GWPs, and CAS numbers. GWPHelpGWPThe index used to translate the level of emissions of various gases into a common measure in order to compare the relative radiative forcing of different gases without directly calculating the changes in atmospheric concentrations. GWPs are calculated as the ratio of the radiative forcing that would result from the emissions of one kilogram of a greenhouse gas to that from the emission of one kilogram of carbon dioxide over a period of time (usually 100 years). Gases involved in complex atmospheric chemical processes have not been assigned GWPs. See lifetime. Flammable SNAP Listing Date Listing Status Further Information
Alternative technologies (e.g., powder, hot melt, thermoplastic plasma spray, radiation-cured, moisture-cured, chemical-cured, and reactive liquid)   0 N/A N/A March 18, 1994 Acceptable  
Benzotrifluoride   N/A N/A yes June 8, 1999 Acceptable with Use Conditions: Subject to a 100 ppm acceptable exposure limit (AEL).  
Chlorinated solvents (methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene)   N/A N/A N/A March 18, 1994 Acceptable High inherent toxicity. Use only when necessary. OSHA and RCRA standards must be met.
Chlorobromomethane   0.07 to 0.15 N/A no April 28, 1999 Unacceptable Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP.
HCFC-141b and blends thereof   >0 N/A no July 20, 2015 Unacceptable as of September 18, 2015.  
HFE-449s1 (methoxynonafluorobutane, iso and normal) NovecTM 7100 Engineered Fluid (HFE-7100) 0 297 no March 22, 2002 Acceptable  
HFE-569sf2 (ethoxynonafluorobutane, iso and normal) NovecTM 7200 Engineered Fluid (HFE-7200) 0 59 no March 22, 2002 Acceptable  
High-solid formulations   0 N/A N/A March 18, 1994 Acceptable  
Methoxytridecafluoroheptene isomers (MPHE) SuprionTM 0 2.5 no July 16, 2015 Acceptable  
Monochlorotoluene / Benzotrifluorides   N/A N/A N/A May 22, 1996 Acceptable with Use Conditions: Subject to a 50 ppm workplace standard for monochlorotoluenes and a 25 ppm standard for other benzotrifluorides (other than benzotrifluoride).  The workplace standard for monochlorotoluenes is based on an OSHA PEL of 50 ppm for orthochlorotoluene. The workplace standard for benzotrifluorides is based on a toxicology study. See separate listing for benzotrifluoride.
Oxygenated solvents (Alcohols, Ketones, Ethers, and Esters)   0 N/A yes March 18, 1994 Acceptable OSHA standards exist for many of these chemicals. Formulators should use chemicals with lowest toxicity, where possible.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons   0 N/A yes March 18, 1994 Acceptable OSHA standards exist for many of these chemicals. Formulators should use chemicals with lowest toxicity, where possible.
Terpenes   0 N/A yes March 18, 1994 Acceptable  
Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene   0 N/A yes September 5, 1996 Acceptable The OSHA set exposure limit (PEL) is 200 ppm.
Trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene Solstice® 1233zd(E) 0.00024 - 0.00034 4.7 - 7 no May 17, 2013 Acceptable Trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene's CAS Reg. No. is 102687-65-0. The manufacturer recommends an acceptable exposure limit (AEL) of 300 ppm (8-hr TWA) for trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene. Observe recommendations in the manufacturer’s MSDS and guidance for using this substitute.
Water-based formulations   0 N/A no March 18, 1994 Acceptable