There is a $10,000 dollar fine for letting freon go to atmosphere on purpose (if you get caught), r12 is like gold, like someone else said, your system holds about $120 worth @ $3 an ounce, the price is expected to go to about $5 an ounce this summer, if you can find it...Oh, and it will go to a gas at room temperature under no pressure outside a closed system... You need to go to a shop and get it reclaimed, maybe if they can get 2 lbs out of it, you could get $50 for it