Cutting this freon recovery tank open was a stupid thing to do, after he knocks out the cut peice lots of smoke from oil saturated freon, burning freon creates phosphine gas yes nerve gas used in WWI.
Dumb is all I can say.
CHEST Journal | Article
Abstract: Case Reports | October 2009
ACUTE PHOSGENE GAS EXPOSURE IN A 49-YEAR-OLD REFRIGERATOR TECHNICIAN
Daniel Kim, DO*; Brendan Carmody, MD; John M. Chandler, MD; James Morton, MD; Leo C. Rotello, MD
INTRODUCTION: Phosgene (carbonyl chloride) gas is of historical interest and has important industrial applications today. Historically, it was the most lethal of World War I war gases. It is estimated that nearly 80% of the poison gas deaths during that war were caused by phosgene exposure. In the post 9/11 era, phosgene remains a potential, highly toxic chemical weapon. Additionally, phosgene poses significant risk to some workers who may be occupationally exposed. This case report demonstrates a known hazard of refrigeration workers suffering phosgene poisoning after heating chlorinated fluorocarbons (Freons).
CASE PRESENTATION: 49 year-old refrigerator technician was admitted to our intensive care unit following phosgene gas exposure. The patient reports using a welding torch while soldering a refrigerator coil which contained Freon. Following vaporization of Freon to phosgene the patient immediately noted a peculiar, pungent smelling gas. He then experienced lacrimation and a burning sensation in his mouth and throat, followed by severe dyspnea, wheeze and cough. On arrival to the emergency department the patient was dyspneic and complained of chest tightness and palpitations. The patient’s heart rate was 140 bpm, blood pressure was 110/60, oxygen saturation was 98% on a non-rebreather facemask. Physical examination revealed an obese male in moderate distress. His conjunctiva was injected. His respirations were mildly labored but clear to auscultation. The cardiovascular exam was irregularly irregular. The remainder of his exam was normal. Chemistries and complete blood count were within normal limits. An arterial blood gas revealed a pH of 7.39, pCO2 of 36 mmHg, and pO2 of 92 mmHg on a FiO2 of 1.0. The patient’s chest X-ray was normal and telemetry monitoring showed a ventricular rate of 140 bpm and atrial fibrillation. Following CDC and OSHA recommendations, appropriate measures were taken to minimize risk of poisoning hospital personnel including monitoring of the patients exhaled gas phosgene levels. This remained detectable (>1 ppm) for approximately 5 hours, after which isolation procedures were discontinued. The patient was admitted to the ICU for observation with rapid resolution of hypoxic respiratory failure and was discharged within 48 hours.
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