This article provides a detailed review of safety concerns and considerations for various refrigerants, emphasizing that leak detection and safe handling are crucial regardless of refrigerant type. It discusses incidents involving ammonia leaks, the environmental and health risks of traditional and newer refrigerants, and stresses the importance of responsible stewardship in refrigeration system management.
Environmental and Health Risks of Refrigerants
Ozone Depletion and Global Warming
Chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants (CFCs) are being phased out under the 1987 Montreal Protocol because they deplete the ozone layer. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are also being phased out under the Kyoto Protocol due to their high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Immediate Safety Hazards
Beyond long-term environmental effects, refrigerants pose immediate physical hazards. Both CFCs and HFCs can cause frostbite upon skin contact and, when exposed to high temperatures, decompose into toxic byproducts such as hydrofluoric acid. They also pose asphyxiation risks by displacing oxygen without warning, leading to documented fatalities from inhalation in confined spaces. Newer refrigerants may have detectable odors but are often flammable at low concentrations, making leak detection critical. Carbon dioxide, while non-toxic and non-flammable, displaces oxygen and operates at high pressure, posing a risk of catastrophic system failures if not properly maintained.
Emerging Refrigerants and Uncertainties
New Hydro-Fluoro-Olefin (HFO) and Hydro-Chloro-Fluoro-Olefin (HCFO) refrigerants have lower ozone-depleting potential due to their rapid atmospheric decomposition. However, their breakdown products, such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), are toxic to aquatic life and classified as persistent “forever” chemicals similar to PFAS. The long-term human health effects of these substances remain uncertain.
Responsible Stewardship and Safety Practices
The document emphasizes that all refrigerants pose hazards and that the only true safeguards are proper system design and installation, adequate resource allocation for operation and maintenance, and comprehensive training in safe operation, maintenance, and emergency response. Training should extend beyond employees to include visitors, ensuring they are aware of emergency action plans and alarm responses. The article highlights concerns about insufficient training contributing to accidents, questioning whether “safer” refrigerants alone can prevent injuries or fatalities without proper stewardship.
Author and Source Information
The article was authored by Bill Lape, Project Director at SCS Engineers and President of RETA-RSES. It originally appeared in the RETA Breeze and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society – RSES Journal.
Please feel free to circulate Bill’s article below or contact Bill or one of our experts near you at SCS Engineers.
