Symptoms of Freon Poisoning Chronic freon poisoning consists of long-term exposure and typically affects HVAC technicians. A leaky air conditioner or refrigerator can cause acute freon poisoning. According to WebMD, the symptoms of acute freon poisoning include: Sore throat and swelling in sinuses.
Cold air can dehydrate your nostrils, throat, and other parts of your body that fight off infections, increasing your risk of an illness. However, cold weather alone cannot make you sick. If you have viruses or particulates in the air, your AC may circulate them, and you can breathe them in.
Refrigerants, such as those found in HVAC units and other cooling appliances, cut off oxygen supply. When inhaled in large amounts, this can lead to severe consequences, including death. Symptoms of Freon poisoning include headache, frostbite, dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizure and even coma.
TL;DR: Carbon monoxide (CO) leaks from your HVAC system can be dangerous and go unnoticed without proper attention. Signs of CO leakage include flu-like symptoms, yellow or flickering pilot lights, soot buildup, and strange odors.
Older air conditioners contain R-22 (Freon) gas as a coolant. However, R-22 gas is a chlorofluorocarbon, a type of gas known to deplete the ozone layer. Leakage from a damaged air conditioner can harm the environment and release toxic fumes that can make you and your family sick.
- Impact: Prolonged exposure to dry air can dry out the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. This can lead to irritation and inflammation, making it easier for respiratory infections to take hold. Symptoms may include dry throat, coughing, and increased susceptibility to colds and flu.
Most air conditioning units run on electricity. You cannot get carbon monoxide poisoning from electric appliances. The risk comes from gas-powered HVAC systems, which provide both cool and warm air for your home. If you have such an HVAC system, the furnace requires gas to ignite.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.
If your air conditioner smells musty, take action to solve the odor immediately. Mold inside the HVAC system impacts indoor air quality, and it can spread and grow in other areas of the home as well as cause health issues or increased allergy symptoms due to breathing indoor air heavy with spores.
Refrigerators and air conditioners release Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere.
Exposure to AC will affect respiratory health
Sleeping in a room with the AC on can lead to respiratory problems, particularly for individuals who are sensitive to cold air or have existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.
One of the most overt signs of a Freon leak is a sweetish smell comparable to nail polish remover. This may indicate the general location of the leak and where to begin testing. Oil spots on tubes, joints or near HVAC components may come from the oil in refrigeration coolant which would indicate a leak.
Dry eyes, lethargy, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, headaches, respiratory issues, allergies and asthma, noise pollution, infectious diseases, and indoor pollutants are among the common health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to air conditioning.
Legionella bacteria can proliferate in air conditioning systems, particularly in cooling towers. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, cough, and muscle aches. In extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Cooler temperatures at night can cause our immune system to slow down. This can make you more susceptible to conditions like common cold or a dry cough. Or else, you might wake up with a sore throat. If the AC unit is not clean, it will circulate germs and other airborne contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, etc.
It is advisable to use a humidifier alongside your home conditioner if you experience any air conditioning sickness symptoms. Also, drink a lot of water during the day to reduce this effect.
“Dirty Sock Syndrome” refers to when a foul-smelling, mold- or mildew-like odor comes from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. This happens when moisture, dust, and dirt build up on your AC system's evaporator coil, inviting bacteria and mold to multiply.
Freon is generally odorless in small quantities, making it difficult to detect leaks based on smell alone. However, when a leak occurs, a faint, sweetish odor may be noticeable. Some people describe this smell as similar to acetone, nail polish remover, or even chloroform.
One significant health risk is refrigerant poisoning. Inhaling Freon or other refrigerants, even in small amounts, can lead to headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure to refrigerant fumes can quickly escalate to more severe health issues, such as loss of consciousness and even death.
Malfunctioning oil, wood, gas, or coal furnaces. Malfunctioning gas clothes dryer. Wood burning fireplace or gas log burner. Gas or fuel-burning appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, pool or spa heaters, or ceiling-mounted heating units.
400 ppm: After 1 to 2 hours of contact, a headache and nausea may occur; more life-threatening symptoms can occur after three hours. 800 ppm: After 45 minutes, symptoms include headache, nausea and dizziness. You might collapse or become unconscious after 1 to 2 hours of exposure.
Refrigerant gases can displace oxygen, leading to oxygen deficiency and asphyxiation. They can be flammable and toxic to varying degrees, and can also cause chemical burns and irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
The most common causes of carbon monoxide building up are incorrectly installed or poorly maintained or ventilated appliances – like stoves and hot water heaters. Poorly ventilated fireplaces and other gas- or wood-burning appliances can also pose danger.
Health Symptoms Caused By Air Conditioning Mold
Health signs that you could have mold in your AC unit include the following: Frequent colds. Stomach pains. Ear infections.