Refrigerants

Alternative names

Coolants; Freon; Fluorinated hydrocarbons

Definition

Poisoning from an exposure to a refrigerant.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Fluorinated hydrocarbons
  

Where Found

• Various refrigerants
  
• Some fumigants
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Respiratory
  o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
  o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Severe pain in the throat
  o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
  o Loss of vision
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Severe abdominal pain
  o Vomiting
  o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
  o Vomiting blood
  o Blood in the stool
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Hypotension (low blood pressure) develops rapidly
  o Collapse
  
• Skin
  o Irritation
  o Burn
  o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
  
• Blood
  o Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)
  

Home Treatment
Seek emergency medical care immediately. Most of the symptoms listed result from inhalation. Treatment includes removing the patient from the gaseous area. Be careful to avoid being overcome with the fumes while assisting someone else.

Contact Poison Control for further information.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• The time it was swallowed or inhaled
  
• The amount swallowed or inhaled
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency number
See Poison Control Centers for telephone numbers and addresses.