§ 1401. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

The Board of Supervisors finds that the release of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) into the environment may endanger public health and welfare by causing or contributing to significant depletion of stratospheric ozone. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that this depletion will result in health and environmental harm, including increased incidence of skin cancer and cataracts, suppression of the immune response system, and damage to crops and aquatic organisms. (Federal Register, August 12, 1988, p. 30566.) The findings adopted under Section 469 of the San Francisco Health Code on stratospheric ozone depletion, health effects and global warming due to releases of CFCs are therefore incorporated herein.

The Board of Supervisors finds that repair, replacement and dismantling of mobile air-conditioners in automobiles and trucks are major sources of CFC releases. As part of the repair, replacement and dismantling procedures, CFCs are purged from these systems to the atmosphere. After repair, mobile air conditioners are recharged with newly manufactured CFC supplied in small containers, available at retail stores in San Francisco. When additional repairs are needed, this CFC is purged from the system. Due to this cycle, manufactured CFCs are continually released to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that approximately 25 percent of domestically consumed CFCs are used in automobiles, making this industry the largest single user of these chemicals. (Federal Register, August 12, 1988, p. 30616.)

The Board of Supervisors finds that a prohibition on the release of CFCs by businesses and government agencies that install, repair or dismantle mobile air-conditioners would be a significant benefit to the health and welfare of the people of San Francisco. The Board of Supervisors further finds that measures which lower the supply of CFC for sale in San Francisco, and which break the cycle of recharge and release from mobile air- conditioning systems, will significantly contribute to public health and welfare.

The Board of Supervisors finds, therefore, that this legislation requiring permits, inspections and installation of CFC recovery equipment for businesses which release CFCs as part of their work on mobile air- conditioning systems, and prohibiting the sale of small CFC containers, is an essential step for limiting the future release of CFCs to the environment.

(Added by Ord. 279-91, App. 7/3/91)