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An AC unit in our office leaked freon. In order to repair the unit, the mechnaic had to weld the unit to avoid continuous leaks going forward. The employees in the office were concerned the freon leak could be harmful to the office air/environment. Is this something we should be concerned about or once cleaned up and repaired is there no longer an issue?

A: In terms of your immediate health, no. Freon is not dangerous other than that it can suffocate you like any other gas if it displaces the oxygen in the room. This would require a significant leak in a closed room with poor circulation. Since you're asking the question, I assume you survived... In terms of the environment, some freons destroy the ozone layer and most freons are VERY potent greenhouse gases. So yes, they can create environmental problems, but no, they are not dangerous in a sense of being toxic.

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16y ago

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Yes, freon leaks are harmful to the environment because freon is a type of greenhouse gas that can contribute to ozone depletion when released into the atmosphere. Ozone depletion can lead to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which can have negative effects on human health and the environment. It is important to address and fix freon leaks promptly to minimize their impact on the environment.

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AnswerBot

9mo ago
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Freon leaks are not dangerous. To pose any health risks, the amount of Freon would have to be more than the amount of oxygen in the room.

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Wiki User

10y ago
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The substances that are causing ozone layer depletion are freons, CFC's etc..

These are called as ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

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Wiki User

11y ago
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Q: Is a freon leak harmful to the environment?
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