Substitutes in Flexible Polyurethane
You will need Adobe 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 acceptableacceptableThis 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 unacceptable
UnacceptableThis 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 acceptable substitutes are shown below.
Note: SNAP-related information published in the Federal Register takes precedence over all information on this page.
Substitute | ODP![]() |
GWP![]() |
SNAP Listing Date | Comments | Flammable |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AB Technology | 0 | 5 or less | March 18, 1994 | yes | |
Acetone | 0 | 0.5 | June 16, 2010 | yes | |
Carbon Dioxide | 0 | 1 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999 |
no | |
EcomateTM | 0 | 5 or less | September 28, 2006 | yes | |
Electroset Technology | 0 | N/A | August 26, 1994; June 16, 2010 |
N/A | |
Exxsol Blowing Agents | 0 | 5 or less | December 6, 1999; June 16, 2010 |
yes | |
HCFC-124 | 0.022 | 609 | July 22, 2002 | Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. | no |
HCFC-141b | 0.12 | 725 | September 30, 2004; July 20, 2015 |
Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. | no |
HCFC-22, HCFC-142b or blends thereof | >0 | N/A | July 22, 2002; July 20, 2015 |
Unacceptable Substitute; Alternatives exist with lower or zero ODP. | no |
HFC-134a | 0 | 1,430 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-134a and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2017. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | no |
HFC-152a | 0 | 124 | March 18, 1994; June 8, 1999 |
yes | |
HFC-245fa | 0 | 1,030 | December 6, 1999; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-245fa and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2017. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics-related applications as of January 1, 2025. | no |
HFC-365mfc | 0 | 794 | September 30, 2009; June 16, 2010; July 20, 2015; December 1, 2016 |
HFC-365mfc and blends thereof acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for military or space- and aeronautics-related applications and unacceptable for all other uses as of January 1, 2017. Unacceptable for military applications as of January 1, 2022 and for space- and aeronautics- related applications as of January 1, 2025. | yes |
HFO–1336mzz(Z) ((Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene; FEA-1100; Formacel® 1100) | 0 | 9 | October 21, 2014 | no | |
Methylal (dimethoxymethane) | 0 | <3 | October 21, 2014 | yes | |
Methylene Chloride | 0 | 8.7 | December 1, 2016 | Unacceptable, as of January 3, 2017. | no |
Saturated Light Hydrocarbons (C3-C6) | 0 | 3 - 10 | August 26, 1994; April 11, 2000; June 16, 2010 |
yes | |
Trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (SolsticeTM 1233zd(E)) | 0.00024 - 0.00034 | 4.7 - 7 | October 21, 2014 | no | |
Water | 0 | N/A | June 8, 1999 | no |