Saturday, August 1, 1992 @ No easy cures for CFCs Greg Wilson CASTLEGAR NEWS SERVICE ‘Chlorofluorocarbons'’ is not a word that slides off the tongue very easily, but if you own acar with an air conditioning system, you will probably become very familiar with this word over the next few years. The refrigerant in an automobiles air conditioner contains chlorofluorocar- bons, or CFCs. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs destroy the Earth's ozone layer, that thin, fragile layer of gas in the stratosphere which protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radi- ation. Scientists estimate that one mole- cule of CFC-12, the existing automobile air conditioning refrigerant, has the po- tential to destroy 10,000 molecules of ozone. Automotive air conditioners account for just eight per cent of global CFC us- age, but the potential for damage to the ozone layer is so great that the Cana- dian government has pledged to phase out the use of CFCs in automobile air conditioners by 1995. Under the terms of the Montreal Pro- tocol, an international timetable for elim- inating substances that deplete the ozone layer, Canada agreed to phase out all CFCs by 1997. Many vehicle manufacturers, such as BMW and Nissan, have already be- gun introducing CFC-free air condition- ers in some of their new model cars. BMWs 7-series cars and Nissan's J30 are two examples of vehicles with the new air conditioning systems and DOWNTOWN SHELL REP, BCAA APPROVED 365-6133 975 Columbia Ave. GLASS & TRIM LT! | TILDEN = ¢ Rental Car Sales ¢ Short Term Leasing - Lease to Own * Daily Rentals - Financing OAC 1761 COLUMBIA AVE 365-7555 refrigerants. In addition, many automo- bile companies have stated recycling existing refrigerants when air condition- ing units are serviced, and many are working towards eliminating CFCs from paint, manufacturing and parts washing processes. However, the introduction of new re- frigerants poses some difficulties for motorists. New refrigerants are not compatible with old air conditioning systems. They corrode copper and certain other met- als found in existing air conditioning systems, and do not mix well with min- eral oil, the lubricant used in today's systems. Automobile manufacturers have de- signed new air conditioners with differ- ent metals and lubricants, but this won't help owners of cars with older systems. Amore serious problem may be the availability of CFC refrigerants in the fu- ture. With demand for CFCs dwindling, and the possibility of CFC production being banned altogether, it's quite pos- sible that the supply of CFC refrigerants will be limited and expensive to pur- chase. Automobile air conditioning systems typically leak coolant and need to be re- plenished occasionally. The alternative for owners of vehicles with older air conditioning systems is to have them refitted with new systems. This is likely to be an expensive propo- sition and one that may be resented by owners of new cars with old air condi- tioning systems. Nev Members, Support Your Association Pian your Autopian B\ with BCAA! [BIG TIRES Yor tows) 185-75-R14 All Season Radial 4 aia 9 eB. 1507 Columbia Ave., Castlegar ¢ 365-2955 Western Auto CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS July 25 to August 10 (Open August 11th) Granite Road, Nelson Ph. 354-4802 Wreckers ne LICENSED MECHANIC TUNE-UPS - BRAKES - FULL SERVICE RR #1, Raspberry, B.C. 5-3842 COURTESY USED.AUTO PARTS 24 Hour Towing New & Used Parts - 1988 LINCOLN TRAIL AUTO BODY LTD. 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Slight chance of showers. @ OUR PEOPLE Things were just duckie at Pass Creek Park Sunday. The Mi Annual Kiwanis Duck ace was a huge success raising $5,000. page 9 @ LOCAL SPORTS Tennis anyone? A local youth is making the most of his raw talent on the tennis courts in a remarkably short time. page 13 @ ARTS & LEISURE Give a listen to the Flamin Aardvarks. The Williw-basott quartet has re-arranged their line-up in a quest to grab the music industry's brass ring. News photo by Scott David Harrison The Castlegar Kiwanis Club’s R ) jay Ward rounds u i Hap — that were unleashed on Pass Gieck Sunder bone aon aavwes @ highlight of the Third Annual Kiwanis Duck Race ; tie neste Castlegar Calling on contenders @ Council encourages candidates to run in upcoming byelection Neil Rachynski Boss REPORTER ouncillor Lawrence Chernoff it’s time fi iti ro a Pron = Castlegar citizens to put up With the probable departure of Coun. Marilyn Mathieson, a number of people are beginning to talk about an impend- —— : ieson is expected to officially re- sign her seat in September bias hae and husband Stuart move to Vancouver. 2 guess Marilyn has to move,” Cher- no said. “I don’t want to see her go (but) it’s going to open the door and give an opportunity for anyone to get involved.” _ The city must hold a municipal elec- tion in 1993, and Chernoff says the re- maining year on council will gi - a the chance to test the whack. cats ‘ou can get your feet wet fc year and then make a choice in ‘93. That ay year on council will give you a taste ‘or it— and you can decide to shut up,” Chernoff said. a pti Audrey Moore agrees. encourage péople to tak: i - ~~ Moore said. ee It’s a good way to get a feel for the sit- aegr Do it for the one year and find row you want to commit to a longer Some groups have started takin, Bi le to heart. “ . e ition Unaccepting Rash Bu- reaucracy will begin to field a candidate. vice president Walter Flux preview 3 @ INDEX = STAFF @ provincial government is - * to get the Caitlegar-Rabson bide The province is expected to shell some $3 million dollars this year to help speed up construction of the $23.5 mil- lion span. The funds will likely n go towards th construction of off ramps following the sale and removal of 12 Columbia Avenue Local Sports Action Ads Arts & Leisure Home Plan Dining Guide 2 6 7 Our People 9 13 16 preview 3 preview 5 preview 8 Bridge funds on the way? homes this October. Rossland-Trail MLA Ed C would neither confirm nor deny that the government funds were on the way. In- stead, Conroy replied “no comment. “Ifthere is an announcement, you will be given plenty of notice,” Conroy said. Despite Socred government promis- pe rs = pe bridge built by 1993, the axed the project saying it f afford the expenditure. — RADIO STATION TAKES ON COUNTRY TWIS says he hopes his group chooses him to run because he’d like to give city council a for one year. eae ‘d like to go long-term but I c tol Ge president Mike O’Connor) if 1 poy make any progress I can’t see F egeae, — years with those dodos,” “We want to work with i we're not there to be buddies vay Flux says having a CURB member on council would “bring more to light. It would make for a more open council.” Duff says he has no qualms at the = of a CURB member sitting on please see BYELECTION page 4 T, PAGE 4