SkillCat EPA 608 EXAM: Questions 1-200
Actual Exam Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: CORE (General Knowledge) - Questions 1-40
1. Which chemical compound releases the most chlorine into the
atmosphere, resulting in the highest Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
A. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
C. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
D. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)
Answer: B
Rationale: CFCs contain the highest concentration of chlorine and have the
longest atmospheric lifetimes, resulting in the highest ODP among
refrigerants. HFCs and HFOs have zero ODP as they contain no chlorine .
2. Under the Clean Air Act, it is illegal to knowingly vent or release
refrigerants into the atmosphere. Which of the following releases is
considered a violation of Section 608?
A. Releases during the normal operation of a centrifugal chiller
B. Releases during the connection or disconnection of hoses for recovery,
,provided best practices are used
C. Releasing HFC substitutes like R-410A
D. Releases occurring during a catastrophic component failure repaired
within 30 days
Answer: C
Rationale: Since January 1, 2018, the EPA prohibits the venting of HFC
refrigerants under Section 608, extending the prohibition beyond just ozone-
depleting substances. Option B describes "de minimis" allowances, which are
not violations when using best practices .
3. What is the maximum allowable leak rate for a commercial
refrigeration appliance containing 50 or more pounds of an ozone-
depleting refrigerant (like R-22) before repair is mandatory?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 35% per year
D. 50% per year
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 40 CFR 82.156, commercial refrigeration equipment must
be repaired if the leak rate exceeds 20% per year. Comfort cooling systems
have a 10% threshold, while industrial process refrigeration also has a 20%
threshold .
4. Which section of the Clean Air Act addresses the protection of
stratospheric ozone and regulates the use of ozone-depleting
substances?
,A. Section 608
B. Section 609
C. Section 612
D. Section 602
Answer: A
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act specifically addresses the
protection of stratospheric ozone and regulates the use of ozone-depleting
substances in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment .
5. Refrigerant recovery is the process of:
A. Cleaning refrigerant for reuse
B. Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external
container
C. Destroying refrigerant
D. Converting refrigerant to a different type
Answer: B
Rationale: Recovery involves removing refrigerant from a system and storing
it in an external container, regardless of whether it will be reused, recycled, or
reclaimed. This is the fundamental definition under EPA regulations .
6. Equipment has to be certified to EPA standards in order to recover
which refrigerants?
A. Only CFCs
B. Only HCFCs
C. Only HFCs
D. CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs
, Answer: D
Rationale: Recovery equipment must be certified by the EPA for use with
CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. The certification ensures the equipment meets
standards for proper recovery of all regulated refrigerants .
7. If you are selling R-22 refrigerant, who can you sell to?
A. Anyone with a driver's license
B. A technician or business with an EPA 608 certification
C. Only wholesalers
D. Anyone over 18
Answer: B
Rationale: R-22 and other regulated refrigerants can only be sold to
technicians or businesses holding EPA 608 certification. This restriction
prevents unqualified individuals from handling ozone-depleting substances .
8. If you recover R-22, can you use the recovered refrigerant in
another device owned by a different person?
A. Yes, immediately
B. No, never
C. Yes, but only if it is reclaimed and meets AHRI 700 standards
D. Only if the owner gives permission
Answer: C
Rationale: Recovered refrigerant can only be sold to a new owner if it is
reclaimed to AHRI 700 purity standards. This ensures the refrigerant meets
quality requirements for use in other systems .
Actual Exam Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: CORE (General Knowledge) - Questions 1-40
1. Which chemical compound releases the most chlorine into the
atmosphere, resulting in the highest Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
A. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
C. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
D. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)
Answer: B
Rationale: CFCs contain the highest concentration of chlorine and have the
longest atmospheric lifetimes, resulting in the highest ODP among
refrigerants. HFCs and HFOs have zero ODP as they contain no chlorine .
2. Under the Clean Air Act, it is illegal to knowingly vent or release
refrigerants into the atmosphere. Which of the following releases is
considered a violation of Section 608?
A. Releases during the normal operation of a centrifugal chiller
B. Releases during the connection or disconnection of hoses for recovery,
,provided best practices are used
C. Releasing HFC substitutes like R-410A
D. Releases occurring during a catastrophic component failure repaired
within 30 days
Answer: C
Rationale: Since January 1, 2018, the EPA prohibits the venting of HFC
refrigerants under Section 608, extending the prohibition beyond just ozone-
depleting substances. Option B describes "de minimis" allowances, which are
not violations when using best practices .
3. What is the maximum allowable leak rate for a commercial
refrigeration appliance containing 50 or more pounds of an ozone-
depleting refrigerant (like R-22) before repair is mandatory?
A. 10% per year
B. 20% per year
C. 35% per year
D. 50% per year
Answer: B
Rationale: Under 40 CFR 82.156, commercial refrigeration equipment must
be repaired if the leak rate exceeds 20% per year. Comfort cooling systems
have a 10% threshold, while industrial process refrigeration also has a 20%
threshold .
4. Which section of the Clean Air Act addresses the protection of
stratospheric ozone and regulates the use of ozone-depleting
substances?
,A. Section 608
B. Section 609
C. Section 612
D. Section 602
Answer: A
Rationale: Section 608 of the Clean Air Act specifically addresses the
protection of stratospheric ozone and regulates the use of ozone-depleting
substances in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment .
5. Refrigerant recovery is the process of:
A. Cleaning refrigerant for reuse
B. Removing refrigerant from a system and storing it in an external
container
C. Destroying refrigerant
D. Converting refrigerant to a different type
Answer: B
Rationale: Recovery involves removing refrigerant from a system and storing
it in an external container, regardless of whether it will be reused, recycled, or
reclaimed. This is the fundamental definition under EPA regulations .
6. Equipment has to be certified to EPA standards in order to recover
which refrigerants?
A. Only CFCs
B. Only HCFCs
C. Only HFCs
D. CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs
, Answer: D
Rationale: Recovery equipment must be certified by the EPA for use with
CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. The certification ensures the equipment meets
standards for proper recovery of all regulated refrigerants .
7. If you are selling R-22 refrigerant, who can you sell to?
A. Anyone with a driver's license
B. A technician or business with an EPA 608 certification
C. Only wholesalers
D. Anyone over 18
Answer: B
Rationale: R-22 and other regulated refrigerants can only be sold to
technicians or businesses holding EPA 608 certification. This restriction
prevents unqualified individuals from handling ozone-depleting substances .
8. If you recover R-22, can you use the recovered refrigerant in
another device owned by a different person?
A. Yes, immediately
B. No, never
C. Yes, but only if it is reclaimed and meets AHRI 700 standards
D. Only if the owner gives permission
Answer: C
Rationale: Recovered refrigerant can only be sold to a new owner if it is
reclaimed to AHRI 700 purity standards. This ensures the refrigerant meets
quality requirements for use in other systems .
