U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)
Tests Show Promise for New Environment Friendly Technologies
Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C. - September 1, 2006) Emissions of the most potent greenhouse
gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), could be history in less than four years,
according to results of pilot tests conducted by the Environmental Protection
Agency and the magnesium industry. Preliminary results show that alternative
technologies have the potential to replace SF6, which is used to prevent
oxidation and burning of molten metal.
s
environmental well being will improve, said Bill Wehrum, EPA acting assistant
administrator for Air and Radiation. The Bush Administration understands that
international collaboration will lead the way in identifying technologies that
protect our global environment.
Led by EPA's SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for the Magnesium Industry, a
group of companies and researchers from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the U.S.
conducted the tests and emission measurements for cutting-edge, climate friendly
melt protection technologies that promise significant environmental benefits.
EPA's Magnesium Partnership is a cooperative effort between EPA and industry to
reduce and eliminate emissions of sulfur hexafluoride from magnesium production
and casting processes through cost-effective technologies and practices.
Eliminating emissions from SF6 B about three million metric tons of carbon
dioxide equivalent annually -- is roughly equal to emissions from 500,000
vehicles per year.
The Bush Administration has committed financial,
international and domestic resources to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The
president’s policy achieves near-term reductions, while investing in long-term
solutions. In 2004, EPA’s voluntary partnerships prevented over 60 million
metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions from
over 40 million vehicles. EPA's climate programs continue to exceed the
agency’s greenhouse gas emissions goals and are on target to meet the
president's goal to reduce greenhouse gas intensity 18 percent by 2012.
More information about EPA