Re: AC coolant phaseout

[lmittel@ibm.net (Larry Mittell)]

Richard Klein wrote:

>I think propane/isobutane actually BOOSTS ozone, rather than 
>depleting it.  The problem is, boosting ground-level ozone results in 
>smog.  I know this is oversimplifying what happens, but I'm pretty 
>sure that's the end result.

>I'm generally pretty complacent about environmental protection, but I 
>don't appreciate your "wink wink, nudge nudge" attitude about the 
>propane/isobutane conversion.  If you do it to your own car, that's 
>one thing, but you're providing this information to who knows how 
>many people, essentially with a big grin, saying "here ya go, but, 
>uh, *I* didn't tell ya to do it."  And for A/C?! That's a luxury for 
>most North Americans!

>I don't want you to feel like I'm jumping down your throat.  Just 
>know where I stand on this.
===========================================================================

Hooboy, struck a nerve there, didn't I!  For not jumping down my throat, you
did a pretty thorough job of it, Rich! :-)  I'm curious as to exactly how
propane/isobutane (or perhaps that's profane/isobutane to you) in a sealed
system, isolated from the atmosphere, contributes to atmospheric pollution.
I think your concerns are misplaced. Perhaps you didn't realize that a
vapor-cycle refrigeration system is a closed, sealed loop or that the
rerigerant isn't some sort of "fuel."  Even if the 2 lbs or so of mixture
should leak out over the course of a couple of years, its contribution to
smog will be small change compared to what your exhaust pipe discharges in,
say, a week.  You seem mighty sensitive about the environment for one who
describes himself as "complacent."  I guess if I were as sensitive, I'd feel
guilty about driving at all.

I don't advocate the use of the hydrocarbon mix as long as reasonable, legal
alternatives exist, as they do now.  However, some 10 or 15 years from now,
they won't.  For some people, it will mean either using a makeshift
substitute for R-12 or dumping the car, because, unlike you, they consider
air conditioning a necessity. By the way, I don't think that air
conditioning is thought of as a luxury by most people any more than
windshield wipers are.

I'm sorry you don't appreciate what you perceive to be my attitude, although
I think your perception is somewhat askew.  Believe it or not, I don't have
the same feeling about your attitude or what you have to say.  I think that
everyone has a right to an opinion and a right to express it.  Sad to say,
some don't agree with me. 

Larry

87 5kcstq
93 Jeep GC Ltd
84 Z-28 HO
72 MBZ 250/8
81 Subaru GL Wagon (Yuck! What can I say, it's a beater.)

PS-  I'm glad to see a fellow Eric Idle fan on the list! 
PPS-  What's a Union man doing with a furrin car?