There is a horrible smell coming from the inside of the refridgerator that has been there since we moved in. We cleaned and cleaned and even tried multiple boxes of baking soda, but nothing has worked it has gotten worse. I just need to know if it is dangerous for us to eat the food or to be around the refridgerator. Thanx for your help!
2006-11-14 11:57:19 · 19 answers · asked by strap 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I do not know what the smell is, but it is not freon that you are smelling. Refrigerators hold Ounces of freon and when it does leak it will leak as a gas and if you were in a room filled with freon then yes it would be dangerous, but if all the freon leaked out all at once, it would not be enough to hurt you in anyway. And freon is a generic name for refrigerants,, there are many kinds of refrigerants used for different applications.. No it is not an inert gas, freon is inert.Yes they do still make freon,, Just not R-12 they can only sell the recovered R-12 that they get from air conditioning companies, but can not make it. If the refrigerator is still cooling and the freezer part is keeping ice, then the smell is probably from when they shut off the refrigerator and let it sit and get hot inside and what food was in it spoiled. Do a search on removing odors from refrigerators,, I'm sure you will find a site that can help you with the smell.
2006-11-14 12:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by Bob G 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Freon by itself is inert - it won't react with many chemicals. It's only when it gets into the atmosphere. One of the chemicals it does react with is ozone, which helps protect the earth from excesssive solar radiation.
I doubt that freon smells like something burning. I'd guess that you have either an electrical short, or the motor in the compressor is burning out. If it's a short, the fridge is a fire hazard. If the motor burns out, it may be a fire danger, and it WILL quit working. Call the landlord - you need a repairman and probably a new fridge.
2006-11-14 12:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The smell is not freon. Try cleaning the folds in the door seals. (part the folds and have a sniff. There you go! Phew!)
There might be old substances between the seals an door often the seals can be gotten off by undoing screws or perhaps it is time for new seals. its funny how things work though you could well spend some money on door seals and the whole fridge could fail later. You will need to asses it's age.
2006-11-14 12:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by slatibartfast 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
let me tell you how freon kills you. freon is heavier than air. if you get it in your lungs, it sits at the bottom of your lungs and displaces the air. enough freon in your lungs make it impossible to breath. when freon burns it creates a sulphuric acid gas that can also kill you. the amount of freon in a fridge is small an not likely to do you any damage, since it sits on the bottom of the air, but the food wont stay cold.
2006-11-15 03:41:28 · answer #4 · answered by bela k 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it is but unless its a gassy smell and the inside stays cold its probably not a freon leak if you already moved it out and cleaned under it then on the front of the fridge there's a grate that pops off behind that is a drain pan pull that out and bleach it leave 2 caps full of bleach in it and replace . find the drain hose (either from the bottom, inside or from the back ) either get a small air compressor and blow the line out or pore a little bleach through it
2006-11-14 12:15:32 · answer #5 · answered by PINKY 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Freon does not smell, the danger of the freon leaking is that it will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer and you will get melonoma and die, in about 30-50 years.
It sounds like mold in the panels or insulating material, so yes the mold could make you sick. Legionaires disease occurs in similar conditions, though I have never heard of legionaires from a refrigerator.
2006-11-14 12:02:05 · answer #6 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
freon woulnt be the smell also if there was a leak for a period of time over a couple hours your food wouldnt be cold probably an old frig that someone left spoiled food in and left off and the smell baked into the walls get rid of and get a cheap new one
2006-11-14 12:50:16 · answer #7 · answered by jdebord1976 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it was the freon, the cooling process would diminish to no cooling. freon when released will smell of oil, and if burned will smell burned. It is not dangerous unless huge amounts are released in a confined area or open flame.
2006-11-14 12:04:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freon wont hurt you, but before long it won't matter because your fridge is probably about to die, and you are going to need a new one. With out the freon your motor will burn up.
2006-11-14 14:49:49 · answer #9 · answered by I love sushi 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes!! A freon leak is very dangerous and poisonous! Replacing the fridge is the only option.
2006-11-14 12:41:24 · answer #10 · answered by lisads1973 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋