Freon leak?

Question

A friend has a refrigerator that's only 2 years old. She's been told that it is leaking Freon. I'm trying to remember if 1) they still use Freon in refrigerators? (I think they replaced it in car A/C units.) and, more importantly 2) If it is leaking, are there potential health effects? She has a small child, so this is very important.

Please let me know what you know! THANKS!

Thanks for all the help - I can't decide to pick a "Best Answer" so I'll put it up for a vote.

THANK YOU all!

Answer 1

Freon is still used in Refrigerators, Freon is a trade name for R-12 used by Dow Chemical, But now is used a general name for all refrigerants (sort of like Xerox for a Photocopy). There are now few different companies that make refrigerants. Refrigerants are now in the trade called by there R name and each has a use best suited for it; R-22 (used central air and refrigeration), R-409, R-134A (used as a retro fit for Car A/C), R-410A (Puron for Central AC, don't get me started on Puron) and a ton more.
Is Refrigerant a health risk? In your case NO. Your home refrigerators have between 3 and 10 oz of refrigerant, most have 3 to 4oz. When refrigerants are exposed to air they turn into a vapor (It really doesn't have to do with the air, it's due to Pressure/ Temperature but it would take awhile to explain Pressure/ Temperature relationship of Refrigerants). Kitchens have a lot of air volume; if the refrig lost all its refrigerant (all 3 oz) you wouldn't know it. Refrigerant do not cause cancer, the oil that is used with the refrigerant is more dangerous to your health. It is an efficient, so people use it to get high on, but all in all it's some pretty harmless stuff that can do some amazing things.
With all this being said, your refrig is a closed system and probably does not have a refrigerant leak, it more then likely have a control problem. Any tech that works on your refrigerator must have an EPA License with a Type 1, Type 2 or universal (universal is best you can get, and can work on any type of equipment) certification. If they only have a type 3 EPA Certification, that a'nt good enough. Sorry to tell you, but there are only a few good refrigeration people out there, they are always busy and expensive. The people that most companies send out on warranty work are not very good (it has to do with the price they pay the refrigeration contractor for warranty work) Refrigeration is exact, you really must know what you are doing, It's not like working on your cars A/C where close is good enough. Describe the refrig. problem and I'm sure we can figure it out.

Answer 2

It when the Freon leak from your system. Freon is a gas that liquefies under pressure. High Press side of AC small Line. Then it goes through a Atomizer of sorts that work like the Water Nozzle on a Garden Hose to Release the Pressure (large Line) and become a gas. This causes a cooling effect. And the Freon absorbs the Heat from the House and Transfers it to the Outside Coils and Fan where it Dissipates. IF, the Freon leaks from the system you lose Pressure and your AC works less and less until it not do anything. It is usually fixed by locating the leak either with a Dye in the System or a Freon Sniffing Tool. You can usually find the leak somewhere that the Large or Small line may Vibrate on something and in time wears a small hole in the line. The other place it can be located is at Fittings and where it Filled at.

Answer 3

Freon has been replaced in many cases, but not abandoned, you need to ask which is used in the one mentioned above. You may also get the Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) on the coolant used, it will show all of the inherent dangers and how to care for any exposure.

"Cooling agent – look out for environmentally friendly gases
CFC gas used to be the most common cooling agent though it is no longer, since leaks are harmful to the ozone layer. Other gases that do not interfere with the ozone layer are frequently used though these contribute to global warming instead. An increasing number of manufacturers are using natural gasses as cooling agents such as Isobutene (R600A). Natural gasses are better from an environmental point of view since they have no harmful effects on either the ozone layer or on global warming.

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Bill Carter) writes:
> Here's some specific questions;

> 1. Are there alternative coolants available which will do the
> same job as CFC's but not pollute the stratosphere?

Yes. ghg-12, for example.

> 2. Are these "green" coolants compatable with A/C units and
> refrigerators which currently use CFC's, and if not why not?

Yes.

> 3. Are there any laws coming online which will require you to
> convert your A/C to use green coolants?

Yes, but not inexpensive replacements like ghg-12. VERY EXPENSIVE ONES.
You can thank your politically-controlled EPA for that.

The quantity being released is most likely not harmful.

Answer 4

All refrigerators still use refrigerant there are many different brands, Freon was just one brand name. Most modern refrigerators use R-134a which is a HCFC which is not harmful to the environment. Unless the kitchen is in a enclosed air tight place it shouldn't pose a threat. Its really not common for a refrigerator to ever leak you should have her call a repairmen.

Answer 5

Yes they still use"freon" It's R134a now.
Yes, there probably health effects she needs to worry about but, the main concern is that the fridge is going to run out of freon and all her food is going to spoil. Move the kid (or take the chance) until she gets it fixed.

Answer 6

is there a device i could get to see if my fridge is leaking gasses? i have a g,e, side by side ref. and freezer, door in a door app. 20 yrs. . or older . when im home i give out of breath real easy, headache, nose and eyes run., when i visit daughter or anyone i dont do this even at groc. stores or other.i cant afford new ref. or certified person to come out.