Stevenage, May 2006 - Following an assessment of the regional situation by senior representatives, DuPont Refrigerants has expressed its concerns over the prevalence of potentially dangerous counterfeit R134a refrigerants within the Middle-East. DuPont is now urging EPAs (Environmental Protection Agencies) within the region to follow the
example of countries such as Bahrain and Kuwait, and to work with local customs officials in identifying and banning the imports of the dangerous refrigerants. DuPont is setting up a taskforce to aid in dealing with the issue, including facilitating communication and cooperation between local authorities and improving access to equipment for analysis and identification of these products.

Frequently branded or packaged to resemble leading brands, such as Suva® from DuPont, analysis of the refrigerants has shown them to contain flammable blends of R12, R22, R134a and hydrocarbons. "Such a mixture is harmful in every sense of the word," explains Phil Bardsley, business manager DuPont Fluorochemicals, Europe, Middle East and Africa, who spent some time in the region assessing the problem. "It is not only flammable and thus dangerous for those working directly with the refrigerant, but it contains ozone-depleting substances such as R12 and therefore does not support the phase-out of CFCs, the deadline for which is 2009 in the Middle-East. Moreover we have witnessed cases where its use has damaged components in vehicle air-conditioning systems. Finally, with regards to those products which are packaged to resemble genuine branded products, it is a blatant case of trade name abuse and counterfeiting." Based on current investigations, the products tested are believed to emanate from China. They are destined for the Middle-East due to the region's large-scale requirements for 134a for use in the air-conditioning systems, driven by its booming construction market.

DuPont cites the example of the EPAs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait as a best practice in identifying and prohibiting the imports of the dangerous products. In Bahrain, the Ozone Officer, Mr. Jaffar Ahmed Salman, works proactively with local customs officers to great effect. "We encourage other EPAs within the region to follow their lead. By actively working with local authorities we hope to raise awareness and provoke
action in those countries," adds Bardsley. DuPont believes its leading role in the Middle-Eastern refrigerants market enables it to facilitate cooperation between the numerous bodies as well as to provide practical advice on the identification of dangerous or counterfeit products. DuPont has formed a specific local taskforce for this role.

Contact: Andrew Wilkins, Horst Ulrich Reimer, Email:
dupont.press@btconnect.com Email: horst-ulrich.reimer@deu.dupont.com

Source: Dupont, Press Release - FLCHEM-EU-2006-04, 24 May 2006,
http://uk.news.dupont.com/site/contenu.asp?idtri=675&idcontenu=55938