[RobRoy]

I thought they didn’t use freon any more.

[cripplecreek]

Good to hear she’s home recovering and thanks for the advice.

[sarasota]

Thank God she survived! Was it from breathing it or from having it on her clothing/feet, etc.?

[A_perfect_lady]

I don’t understand.... just from inhaling it?

[Minn]

Thanks. What model car and how old? Who charged it last? Did they know what they were doing?

[RobRoy]

I googled it and got this:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/3-health-effects-of-freon-exposure

...and other sites. A snippet:

When Freon gases are in very high concentration, they can cause dizziness, asphyxia and loss of coordination and concentration. They may cause irritation, particularly with regard to sensitive skin (skin rashes, dermatitis, etc.), but the good news is that Freon has no long term effects on health. Freon is not a mutagen, teratogen or carcinogen, and it does not affect the liver.

[camerongood210]

There were kids back in high school that used to huff this stuff to get a high. I can imagine the stuff is rather dangerous just judging from the way they acted after huffing it. Thanks goodness she’s alright. What kind of recovery time is she looking at?

[Lx]

I’m glad she’s OK. I’ve never heard of this and I used to do auto A/C when I was a mechanic.

Apparently it is incredibly bad for you:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_causes_freon_poisoning_How_would_you_know_if_you%27re_at_risk

http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/refrigerant-poisoning-dictionary.htm

[loungitude]

I understand that drawing it thru a lit cigarette will kill a person pretty fast. Decomposes when heated into phosgene or something.

[Jack Hydrazine]

MSDS for R-134a.
http://www.refrigerants.com/msds/r134a.pdf

POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS
SKIN: Irritation would result from a defatting action on tissue. Liquid contact could cause frostbite.
EYES: Liquid contact can cause severe irritation and frostbite. Mist may irritate.
INHALATION: R-134A is low in acute toxicity in animals. When oxygen levels in air are reduced to 12-14% by displacement, symptoms of asphyxiation, loss of coordination, increased pulse rate and deeper respiration will occur. At high levels, cardiac arrhythmia may occur.
INGESTION: Ingestion is unlikely because of the low boiling point of the material. Should it occur, discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract from rapid evaporation of the material and consequent evolution of gas would result. Some effects of inhalation and skin exposure would be expected.
DELAYED EFFECTS: None Known

4. FIRST AID MEASURES
SKIN: Promptly flush skin with water until all chemical is removed. If there is evidence of frostbite, bathe (do not rub) with lukewarm (not hot) water. If water is not available, cover with a clean, soft cloth or similar covering. Get medical attention if symptoms persist.
EYES: Immediately flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (in case of frostbite, water should be lukewarm, not hot) lifting eyelids occasionally to facilitate irrigation. Get medical attention if symptoms persist.
INHALATION: Immediately remove to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. Use oxygen as required, provided a qualified operator is available. Get medical attention immediately. DO NOT give epinephrine (adrenaline).
INGESTION: Ingestion is unlikely because of the physical properties and is not expected to be hazardous. DO NOT induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by a physician.
ADVICE TO PHYSICIAN: Because of the possible disturbances of cardiac rhythm, catecholamine drugs, such as epinephrine, should be used with special caution and only in situations of emergency life support. Treatment of overexposure should be directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical conditions.

[Focault's Pendulum]

What year your vehicle?

[USMCPOP]

“There were kids back in high school that used to huff this stuff to get a high.”

Ype, I mean “yep”. :(

[My hearts in London - Everett]

Glad you’re wife is ok, rstrahan. I hope there are no lingering effects. :~)

[Bon mots]

Burn it as it comes out of the can with a propane torch and you have mustard gas.

[Bon mots]

Burn it as it comes out of the can with a propane torch and you have mustard gas... actually, phosgene which is very similar.

I would not advise it.

[kimmie7]

So glad your lovely wife is safe and sound!

[MrPiper]

I hope she is ok,,, but freon is not poisonous,,, R22, R-134, 410a, etc,, are all non toxic. But they will displace oxygen and you can suffocate.

Having said that,, there is one situation where it becomes toxic. Freon, in the presence of red hot copper and flame becomes fozgen (spelling?) AKA mustard gas.

I've been in the HVAC biz for three decades. Something else happened here, but it was not just freon. Side note,, stupid kids trying to get high will try stiffing freon,, since it displaces oxygen,, it can kill you.

[Nepeta]

Our lives are full of materials that are dangerous is misused or dumped out of where they are supposed to be. Life cannot be absolutely safe or insulated from peril.

The stuff sloshing in your gas tank a few feet behind your head is just one example.

[JoeProBono]

[Lazlo in PA]

Nothing beats R 12 over 134. Keep all the classics on 12 no matter the expense. Ice cold right away. Heard of people mixing ammonia to 134 for a colder effect. Breathe a fair amount of both in my time through working on my cars and never had anything happen. Maybe there were other failures, i.e. wires burning, A/C oil burning.