Where It Comes From
- Where it comes from — Legacy refrigerators/chillers, building insulation foams, and older aerosol/solvent uses; phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol [1].
How You Are Exposed
- How you’re exposed — Breathing vapors from leaks or during servicing/demolition of old equipment or foams; highest risk in poorly ventilated or confined spaces [1][2].
Why It Matters
dizziness, headache, confusion; very high levels: fainting, irregular heartbeat, and oxygen displacement (asphyxiation). Liquid can cause frostbite. It also depletes stratospheric ozone, increasing UV that harms skin and eyes, and is a potent greenhouse gas [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
- Who’s at higher risk — Service technicians, demolition/renovation workers, and anyone in confined spaces with a release; people with heart conditions may be more sensitive to rhythm effects [2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
- Lower your exposure — Use certified technicians for refrigerants; ventilate work areas; avoid enclosed spaces with suspected leaks; follow rules for recovery/disposal of old equipment and foams [1][2][4].
References
- [1]U.S. EPA. Ozone-Depleting Substances (Class I) and CFC-11 overview. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/ozone-depleting-substances
- [2]CDC/NIOSH. Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Trichlorofluoromethane. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/
- [3]U.S. EPA. Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/health-and-environmental-effects-ozone-layer-depletion
- [4]U.S. EPA. Section 608 Refrigerant Management Program. https://www.epa.gov/section608