Keeping It Chill: Is Refrigerant Dangerous?
The Bottom Line
Refrigerants are used in cooling and heating systems. Swallowing the liquid or spilling it on skin can cause irritation, frostbite, and burns. Inhaling the gas can cause asphyxiation, cough, wheezing, and pneumonia, as well as vomiting, headache, coma, and frostbite or burns to the lung. If you suspect a leak, leave the affected area and breathe fresh air.
What is refrigerant liquid?
Refrigerants are chemicals used in cooling and heating in air conditioners and heat pumps. For years, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) were the most often used refrigerants. However, since CFCs and HCFCs were discovered to be depleting the ozone layer, they are being gradually phased out. Although HFCs have high global warming potentials, they are still widely used. Refrigerants such as propane, isobutane, and ammonia, which have very low global warming potential, are increasingly being used.How does refrigerant work?
Refrigerant consists of chemicals which change from liquid to gas under low pressure, and from gas to liquid under high pressure. The pressure differences within the system are responsible for cooling or heating. Refrigerants circulate through a closed system which is driven by a compressor to move heat from one area to another.
For air conditioning, the cold liquid refrigerant circulates through a coil and changes from a liquid to gas and evaporates. The evaporation process absorbs heat, which then cools the surrounding area. When the refrigerant is condensed from a gas into a liquid, heat is released, which then heats the surrounding area.
Is refrigerant poisonous if ingested?
Yes, toxicity can occur if refrigerant is ingested. Irritation in the mouth and throat can occur. Frostbite and burns of the upper airway and gastrointestinal tract are possible. Ingestions are less common than inhalation.
Symptoms of poisoning
If refrigerant is inhaled as a gas, it takes the form of an asphyxiant, which means it replaces oxygen in the air that you are breathing. Respiratory symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, pneumonia, and respiratory arrest. Other effects of inhalation include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, impaired coordination, and coma. You might also experience an irregular heartbeat, fainting, or feelings of weakness.
Inhalation can lead to frostbite and burns of the lips, tongue, throat, and lungs which can result in pain and a burning sensation. Skin exposure can result in contact dermatitis, defatting of skin, erythema (redness), frostbite, and burns.
Chronic vs. acute refrigerant poisoning
Inhaling small amounts of refrigerant acutely (such as due to a leak) is probably not harmful and should not lead to long-term health effects. Chronic occupational exposure to refrigerants can cause respiratory problems, heart issues, skin irritation, and other health effects. Appropriate respiratory protection, eye protection, insulated gloves, and protective clothing are important to minimize the risk of both acute and chronic occupational exposure and toxicity. Since refrigerants are flammable, it is also important to be sure there are not ignition sources in the area and that there is adequate ventilation.
Have a poisonous refrigerant exposure?
If you suspect a refrigerant leak, leave the area and breathe fresh air. Contact a technician to have the unit serviced to repair the leak. If you spill refrigerant on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
If someone ingests refrigerant or has symptoms from inhalation or skin exposure, medical attention is probably needed. Help from experts is available through the webPOISONCONTROL online tool and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control’s expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Wendy Klein-Schwartz, Pharm.D., MPH
Clinical Toxicologist
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Have your HVAC system serviced regularly.
- If your air conditioning stops cooling adequately or the outdoor unit starts to have ice build up on the condenser, call an HVAC technician since you probably have a refrigerant leak.
- Keep weeds and debris away from outdoor condensing units.
- Keep refrigerants away from sparks or flames.
- Know what refrigerant is in your unit.
- If you suspect a leak, leave the area and breathe fresh air.
- Set up a portable fan in the area of a possible leak to improve ventilation while waiting for a professional.
- If you are an HVAC technician, be sure to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
This Really Happened
A 40-year-old woman contacted Poison Control regarding a possible refrigerant leak. She was defrosting her freezer and was using a screwdriver to chip away at the ice. She punctured the wall of the freezer and hit a coil. She was concerned about toxicity from the refrigerant. She complained of a headache and felt a little dizzy but thought maybe it was because she was upset about the situation. Poison Control told her to go outside for fresh air and to contact a technician to repair the freezer. Poison Control contacted her 1 hour later for a follow-up, at which point she was asymptomatic. She was told to call back if she experienced any symptoms.
References
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Have your HVAC system serviced regularly.
- If your air conditioning stops cooling adequately or the outdoor unit starts to have ice build up on the condenser, call an HVAC technician since you probably have a refrigerant leak.
- Keep weeds and debris away from outdoor condensing units.
- Keep refrigerants away from sparks or flames.
- Know what refrigerant is in your unit.
- If you suspect a leak, leave the area and breathe fresh air.
- Set up a portable fan in the area of a possible leak to improve ventilation while waiting for a professional.
- If you are an HVAC technician, be sure to use appropriate personal protective equipment.
This Really Happened
A 40-year-old woman contacted Poison Control regarding a possible refrigerant leak. She was defrosting her freezer and was using a screwdriver to chip away at the ice. She punctured the wall of the freezer and hit a coil. She was concerned about toxicity from the refrigerant. She complained of a headache and felt a little dizzy but thought maybe it was because she was upset about the situation. Poison Control told her to go outside for fresh air and to contact a technician to repair the freezer. Poison Control contacted her 1 hour later for a follow-up, at which point she was asymptomatic. She was told to call back if she experienced any symptoms.