Freon, a non-toxic refrigerant developed by DuPont in 1928, was widely used until evidence suggested it was damaging the ozone layer. Alternatives have been developed, but old appliances still contain Freon. Leaks do not pose an immediate risk to human health, but can lead to suffocation.
Freon is a family of products developed by the DuPont company in 1928. In the 1980s, Freon was used in a wide variety of applications, until growing evidence suggested it was helping to damage the ozone layer it protects the earth. In response, alternatives to the products have been developed and several governments have launched initiatives to help people substitute products that contain Freon so that the products can be seized safely.
These products were originally developed for use in refrigeration. They are part of a family of chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Prior to the production of Freon, a variety of toxic substances were used in refrigeration, including ammonia, which caused illness if leaked. Freon has been considered a safe refrigerant because it is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and non-reactive. In the 1930s, the chemical’s use in refrigeration systems began to increase dramatically, with manufacturers viewing the products as safer and easier to work with.
In addition to being used as a refrigerant in refrigerators and freezers, Freon has also been used in air conditioning systems, fire suppression systems, and as an aerosol propellant. The widespread production and use of Freon has led to an accumulation of the chemical in the environment. Eventually, people began to realize that the ozone layer above the Earth was starting to degrade, and CFCs were suspected to be involved, leading to calls to ban the use and additional production of these chemicals.
DuPont and other chemical companies have developed alternatives to Freon that are safe for use as refrigerants. However, a high volume of the chemical is still present and continues to cause damage to the ozone layer. Old appliances often contain Freon, which can make them expensive to repair if they start to break down. Disposal of old appliances should also be done carefully to reduce the risk of coolant leaks.
Individuals who are unsure whether or not their cooling systems contain Freon can contact a refrigeration professional to have the system evaluated. If your system contains Freon, there can be a variety of ways to deal with the problem, from using the system until it fails and then replacing it to retrofitting the system so it can use an alternative to Freon such as coolant .
Freon leaks do not pose an immediate risk to human health, except in cases where coolant is leaking in large quantities. At room temperature, it often reaches a gaseous state and inhaling the gas can lead to suffocation, because it displaces oxygen into the air. An HVAC specialist can clean up the leak and address the underlying cause so it doesn’t happen again.
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