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Refrigerant Leak Hazards

Refrigerants, also called anti-freezes and cooling liquids, are chemicals used to remove heat and cool regions such as automobiles, refrigerators and airplanes. Refrigerants cool using a thermodynamic process of evaporation-condensation cycles. Despite their many cooling benefits, refrigerants can be extremely hazardous to humans and the environment.

  1. Toxicity

    • People exposed to refrigerant can suffer a variety of symptoms depending upon the length of exposure time. Those exposed to high concentrations of refrigerant for a short period of time often suffer from irritation, increased heart sensitivity or an increased heart rate. In some cases, exposure to high concentrations of refrigerant can be lethal. Long-term exposure to refrigerants can cause cancer, mutagenicity (changes to cells) or reproductive problems.

      Refrigerant leaks in enclosed environments can also cause suffocation. When refrigerant is leaked into a room, it pushes oxygen out. Lack of oxygen can be harmful or fatal if there is not enough air to support respiration.

    Frostbite

    • When liquid refrigerant is suddenly released from high pressure to atmospheric pressure, it will quickly boil to a vapor. This exposed refrigerant absorbs heat from whatever it comes into contact with. If refrigerant comes in contact with human skin, it can cause frostbite. Frostbite freezes the water inside the skin cells and can cause permanent damage to the skin.

    Flammability

    • Flammable refrigerants are especially hazardous when released into the air. When combined with air at atmospheric pressure, they can ignite and possibly cause an explosion. Since flammable refrigerants are especially hazardous, they are limited to use within controlled environments with proper ventilation where they can be closely monitored. These environments include breweries, storage warehouse and refineries.

    Environmental Hazards

    • Refrigerant leaks are hazardous to the environment as well. They contain CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), which contribute to the depletion of ozone layer when they are released into the atmosphere. These CFCs also linger in the atmosphere, acting as greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming.

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