Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Environment and Natural Resources is updating guidelines for ozone-depleting substances.

The guidelines apply mainly to refrigerators, air conditioners and fire extinguishers that use ozone-depleting chemicals.

Paquin said the guidelines could be converted into regulations if the department felt few businesses were complying.

Businesses in Yellowknife have been good at following the guidelines, Paquin said.

The Yellowknife dump removes freon from discarded refrigerators so that the chemical can be recycled for use in older appliances.

Newer air conditioners and fridges use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's), which are still ozone depleting, but less harmful than freon.