What Does Refrigerant Poisoning Mean?
Refrigerants are chemical solutions used in refrigerants and air conditioners to promote cooling. Exposure to these chemicals results in refrigerant poisoning due to intentional or accidental intake. These chemicals contain freon (trade name) or fluorinated hydrocarbon. It is gaseous at room temperature and turns into liquid in pressurized containers. It is an odorless and tasteless gas. Refrigerant poisoning is also referred to as:
Freon poisoning.
Fluorinated hydrocarbon poisoning.
Coolant poisoning.
Sudden sniffing death syndrome.
Refrigerant toxicity.
Refrigerant chemicals may come in gaseous or liquid form. These are mostly well-packaged to prevent the risk of accidents or harm. If ingestion or inhalation of refrigerants occurs, immediate medical attention is required. Freon contains hydrogen, carbon, chlorine, bromine, etc., inhalation of which at low concentration can lead to throat and nose irritation, and high-concentration exposure leads to serious toxicity.
Acute Poisoning - Short-term exposure to refrigerants leads to acute poisoning. It will mostly be a single-time high-concentration exposure. This usually occurs due to malfunctioning of the refrigeration system or air-conditioning system due to a leak.
Chronic Poisoning - Chronic exposure occurs due to repeated refrigerant exposure over a long period. It is mostly seen in technicians who work with heavy machinery using refrigerants. Proper monitoring systems and leak detectors can reduce the exposure.
Flammability - The refrigerants are mostly made of highly flammable gas. The leaking refrigerant may explode if there is a heat source nearby. This may result in severe damage.
What Are the Causes?
Refrigerant poisoning is caused by inhalation or ingestion of the refrigerant. The intake may be unintentional (accidental) or intentional (to induce self-harm). Different types of refrigerants exist, like carbon dioxide, ammonia, halocarbons, fluorinated hydrocarbons, etc.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
The symptoms depend on different factors like:
Exposure level.
Period of exposure.
Mode of exposure.
One may present with a single symptom of poisoning or several symptoms. The symptoms may be milder in chronic exposure, and severity increases with time. The symptoms include:
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Frostbite injury is seen in cases where direct exposure to liquified material occurs.
Cough.
Chemical skin burns.
Dizziness.
Symptoms of severe poisoning are:
Irregular heart rhythm.
Fluid buildup in lungs.
Vomiting blood.
Loss of consciousness.
Blood in stool.
Collapsed heart rate.
Skin necrosis.
Burns of the food pipe.
Loss of vision.
Breathing difficulty.
Collapse.
What Are the First Aid Measures to Be Taken?
The first aid measures include:
Call the local emergency help number for emergency assistance.
Call the local poison control center for more information.
Share them with all the essential information, including age, overall health status, the weight of the victim, present condition of the victim, mode of exposure (inhalation or ingestion), quantity of exposure, etc.
Remove the victim from the exposure area and move to fresh air.
Ensure that the victim is breathing and has a pulse.
Make sure that the victim’s airways are protected.
In case of skin exposure, rinse thoroughly with soap and water. In case of blisters, skin numbness, or blanching, seek immediate medical attention.
In case of eye exposure, wash with copious amounts of water.
The victim should be taken to the emergency department for further treatment.
The following treatments will be carried out in the emergency room:
Gastric lavage for removing the chemical substance from the stomach.
Medications for managing symptoms.
Breathing support is provided if needed.
Administration of intravenous fluid by an intravenous drip line.
Surgical removal of burnt skin in case of skin burns.
An antidote to counteract the effect of the poison.
What Is the Prognosis?
The prognosis depends on several factors, including symptom severity, the quantity of exposure, and the victim's general health. Timely medical assistance and the severity of the poisoning are key factors that determine the prognosis. If the victim survives over 72 hours, the prognosis is mostly good. Severe poisoning may result in lung damage. Irreversible brain damage can occur if timely oxygen therapy is not given. Some refrigerants like freon may result in permanent brain damage or sudden death.
What Is Refrigerant Misuse?
Refrigerant misuse is also called “huffing”. The chemical is mostly inhaled through:
- A rag.
- An appliance.
- A container.
Refrigerant misuse may cause a pleasurable feeling through central nervous system depression. The feeling produced is similar to that of taking sedatives or drinking alcohol. The symptoms associated with misuse are:
Slurred speech.
Watery eyes.
Lack of coordination.
Irritability.
Chemical smell on clothing.
Appearance is similar to alcohol misuse.
What Are the Preventive Measures That Can Be Taken?
While defrosting an old fridge, avoid using sharp objects to remove frost buildup. Check the air conditioning systems and refrigerants for leaks; if a leak is present, seek professional help to fix the leak. Keep the poisonous chemicals out of reach of children. Be informed of the first aid measures to be taken in case of an emergency or poisoning. Follow safety guidelines in the workplace, these include:
Maintain a clean dust free work area.
Use personal protective equipment to protect the eyes, mucous membranes, lungs, and skin.
Change clothes and shower after industrial work.
Avoid drinking, eating, or smoking in the workplace.
Do not take contaminated clothes from the workplace to home.
Ensure that industrial safety regulations are followed.
Practice proper hand hygiene.
In case of a large spill, the area should be evacuated and returned only if the area is well-ventilated.
Proper handling of refrigerant cylinders.
Open the cylinder valves slowly.
Contact with liquid refrigerant should be avoided as frostbite can occur.
Measures to reduce misuse include community and school-based education programs.
Conclusion
Refrigerant poisoning may be accidental due to leaks from refrigerators or air conditioning systems, or it can be intentional to produce self-harm or can be due to misuse. Taking proper preventive measures, safety control measures in industries, and education programs to prevent misuse can help reduce the chance of exposure. The prognosis depends on several factors; severe poisoning, especially involving freon, may be fatal. First-aid measures should be taken; immediate medical attention is needed for exposure.
