❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses a gas leak at a Fremantle shopping centre, inquiring about the refrigerant involved and associated health risks. The response indicates the gas could not be identified and details the health risks of common refrigerants.
AnsweredQoN 1769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Was the gas leak at the Woolstores Shopping Centre in Fremantle on 8 January 2007 (that resulted in human toxicity) a leak of air conditioner refrigerant?
(2) If so, what was the refrigerant?
(3) What are the health risks posed by exposure to refrigerants R410a, R134a and R22?
(2) If so, what was the refrigerant?
(3) What are the health risks posed by exposure to refrigerants R410a, R134a and R22?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2007
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
20 days
(1) Despite on-site testing by Government officers, the compound responsible could not be positively identified. Its origin and identity remains as speculation only. (2) Not applicable. (3) The health risks from exposure to refrigerants R22 (chlorodifluromethane), R134a (tetrafluoroethane) and R410a [a 50/50 mixture of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane)] will vary with the concentration of the material. The effects of all three refrigerants are similar. Exposure to mists will irritate the skin and eyes. Liquid exposure can cause frostbite of the skin and severe irritation and frostbite of the eyes. Exposure to low concentration of vapours can cause dizziness and loss of concentration. Higher concentrations of vapours can cause central nervous system depression and cardiac arrhythmias. In confined spaces these gases displace air, which can result in asphyxiation.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The health risks from exposure to refrigerants R22 (chlorodifluromethane), R134a (tetrafluoroethane) and R410a [a 50/50 mixture of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane)] will vary with the concentration of the material. The effects of all three refrigerants are similar. Exposure to mists will irritate the skin and eyes. Liquid exposure can cause frostbite of the skin and severe irritation and frostbite of the eyes. Exposure to low concentration of vapours can cause dizziness and loss of concentration. Higher concentrations of vapours can cause central nervous system depression and cardiac arrhythmias. In confined spaces these gases displace air, which can result in asphyxiation.
(3) The health risks from exposure to refrigerants R22 (chlorodifluromethane), R134a (tetrafluoroethane) and R410a [a 50/50 mixture of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane)] will vary with the concentration of the material. The effects of all three refrigerants are similar. Exposure to mists will irritate the skin and eyes. Liquid exposure can cause frostbite of the skin and severe irritation and frostbite of the eyes. Exposure to low concentration of vapours can cause dizziness and loss of concentration. Higher concentrations of vapours can cause central nervous system depression and cardiac arrhythmias. In confined spaces these gases displace air, which can result in asphyxiation.
(2) Not applicable. (3) The health risks from exposure to refrigerants R22 (chlorodifluromethane), R134a (tetrafluoroethane) and R410a [a 50/50 mixture of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane)] will vary with the concentration of the material. The effects of all three refrigerants are similar. Exposure to mists will irritate the skin and eyes. Liquid exposure can cause frostbite of the skin and severe irritation and frostbite of the eyes. Exposure to low concentration of vapours can cause dizziness and loss of concentration. Higher concentrations of vapours can cause central nervous system depression and cardiac arrhythmias. In confined spaces these gases displace air, which can result in asphyxiation.
(3) The health risks from exposure to refrigerants R22 (chlorodifluromethane), R134a (tetrafluoroethane) and R410a [a 50/50 mixture of R32 (difluoromethane) and R125 (pentafluoroethane)] will vary with the concentration of the material. The effects of all three refrigerants are similar. Exposure to mists will irritate the skin and eyes. Liquid exposure can cause frostbite of the skin and severe irritation and frostbite of the eyes. Exposure to low concentration of vapours can cause dizziness and loss of concentration. Higher concentrations of vapours can cause central nervous system depression and cardiac arrhythmias. In confined spaces these gases displace air, which can result in asphyxiation.
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