The hazards of refrigerant leakage to the human body are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Poisoning
Some refrigerants, such as ammonia and sulfur dioxide, are toxic. When these refrigerants leak, they may cause poisoning. For example, when the concentration of ammonia in the air reaches 0.5%~1%, people who stay in this environment for 30 minutes may suffer from severe illness or death.
2. Suffocation
Although fluorine refrigerants are non-toxic, their gaseous density at room temperature is greater than that of air. When their content (volume concentration) in the air exceeds 80%, they will cause suffocation.
3. Cold burns
When the refrigerant leaks, it may contact the skin or eyes in liquid form, causing cold burns. Prolonged contact with the skin may also cause dermatitis.
4. Difficulty breathing
Inhaling a large amount of high concentrations of difluoromethane in a confined space will cause harm to the human body. Specifically, contact with difluoromethane liquid or rapidly diffusing gas will cause irritation and frostbite to the eyes and skin, and long-term contact with the skin will cause dermatitis. When inhaled, difluoromethane can displace oxygen in the air. Exposure to an atmosphere with an oxygen content of less than 19.5% can cause dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and slow reaction. In severe cases, it can cause loss of consciousness and death. Exposure to an atmosphere with an oxygen content of less than 12% can cause loss of consciousness without any warning and loss of self-protection ability.
5. Chemical reaction
Under certain conditions (such as when mixed with water and oxygen, contact with open flames), Freon refrigerants will decompose to produce harmful substances such as hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride and phosgene, especially phosgene, which is very harmful to the human body.
6. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
When entering the room from the outdoors, if the air conditioning temperature is adjusted too low, it may cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This is because the dilated blood vessels shrink rapidly when exposed to cold, which may cause discomfort.
7. Allergies and respiratory infections
In addition to refrigerants, air conditioners also contain many mites, molds, etc., which can easily cause allergies, asthma, and even respiratory infections, which may be life-threatening in severe cases.
In summary, the hazards of refrigerant leakage to the human body mainly include poisoning, suffocation, cold burns, breathing difficulties, chemical reactions, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, allergies and respiratory infections. In order to reduce these hazards, refrigeration equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its normal operation, and emergency treatment measures should be taken in time when leakage is found.
