Renewal time: 2011-10-18 10:58:41
        Because of its ozone depletion potential, HCFC-141b, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, has long been on regulators’lists of targeted substances, and its use is severely restricted in most developed countries around the world. Commonly used in the medical device manufacturing industry for the deposition of silicone, heparin, PTFE and other coatings, it has been known since the 1987 Montreal Protocol that HCFC-141b would not be a sustainable solution for these applications.
        On January 1, 2002, a complete use ban covering all solvent uses of HCFC-141b goes into effect in the European Union. In the U.S., a manufacturing ban goes into effect on January 1, 2003. Although use of existing supplies of HCFC-141b for silicone deposition and other medical applications will still be allowed within the U.S., there is a strong possibility that the U.S. EPA will consider restricting HCFC-141b in this application, once suitable alternatives can be qualified. No one can say when the restrictions might happen for certain, but for companies doing business worldwide, this is the time to start planning your transition to a solvent with a favorable blend of performance, environmental and worker safety properties.