IP: Griot's: helping car fans destroy the ozone layer

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 14:47:08 -0800
> Subject: Griot's: helping car fans destroy the ozone layer
> From: Paul Saffo <psaffo () iftf org>
> To: <zeitgeist () central cis upenn edu>
>
> Griot's Garage [ http://www.griotsgarage.com ] is the largest auto
> enthusiast's catalogue in the country, with a huge customer base.  They
> specialize in hard-to-find tools and high-end auto accessories that everyone
> from weekend auto enthusiasts to professionals love.
>
> In their search for the hard-to-find, they now offer  Halon fire
> extinguishers for car and home use. See: [
> http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=26680 ] Griots neglects to
> mention that Halon is an especially potent greenhouse gas. They have the
> nerve to describe it as follows "...its safe, nonconductive properties
> provide fast, clean fie control." It even comes in a choice of colors, so
> you can be stylish while you are helping destroy the ozone layer.
>
> Meanwhile, everyone else is trying desperately to stop using the stuff.
> There is even a not-for-profit industry association --the Halon Alternatives
> Research Corporation -- set up as an industry facilitator and clearing house
> to help rid the world of Halon. See: [ http://www.harc.org/ ] Note that the
> automotive industry is rapidly replacing CFC-based refrigerant gases from
> auto air conditioning systems with environment-friendly alternatives.
>
> Griots is behaving with reckless and irresponsible abandon. It is not merely
> peddling Halon to consumers; it is peddling it in a form particularly
> susceptible to abuse. It takes real work to accidentally release CFC gases
> in an old refrigerator or air conditioner -- but an extinguisher is designed
> to release it's contents with the squeeze of a trigger.  A consumer firing
> their $110 extinguisher to put out their barbeque will release far more CFCs
> than is contained in a 20 year old refrigerator.
>
> I fear that unless Griots hears strong public protest about their new
> product, other catalogue companies are going to also start peddling Halon
> car-toys. At minimum, Griots should be compelled to include an environmental
> warning in their catalogue and on their webpage so their customers can
> decide if they want to foster global warming.  But hopefully their customers
> and the public at large will shame Griots into pulling their Halon
> extinguishers from their catalogue.
>
> Please forward this email to anyone who might have an interest in this
> topic.
>
> -p

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