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The amount of phosgene generated by R22 (an HCFC ) vs say R12 (a CFC)
is minuscule by comparison.
The reason being a Halogenated Chloral Floural Carbon has about one atom of chlorine vs many atoms in a Chloral Floural Carbon.

And the amount of phosgene that is produced has been studied and the final determination was that all though some little amount of phosgne is produced
it does no where near the lung damage a weaponized dosage would do.
The study was published in RSES monthly magazine about ten years ago.

CFCs(R12, R502-ect-) produce volumes more of phosegene is the presence of flame than R22--an HCFC--.

When a compressor loses its charge due to a failed fusite, the reason is due to a badly contaminated system that has turned to acid . when a cloude of contaminated refrigerant is released it is more likely to be acidic
than have a large amount of phosegene because there is no sustained flame to burn the gas. The fusite blows the breaker will trip and eliminate any possibility of a heat source to caytalize phosgene.

Breathe the vapors of the the escaped R22 vapors you would be ingesting burnt oil, acid, and other irritants that can cause Upper Respiratory irritation and shortness of breathe.

Been there my self on more occasions than I care to admit.

i think al us seasoned pros know the Mustard Gas analogy. And the gents that wrote the first paper on R12 when it was invented back in the early first half of the 20th century were vets of WWI. As a result the "mustard gas" horror story was given more emphasis than it actually deserved. And like any good story it got pumped up out of proportion compared to it's real world toxicity.

The next new urban legend is going to be the the Hygroscopic nature of R410A and the proper way to handle and install it.

A few mfgs are really pumping more mis-information into their 410 A training that only serves to make a lot of contractors hold off on suggesting 410A systems over R22 system to new equipment buyers. The amount of 410A hold outs are more than 60% according to a recent HVAC News poll.

The main reason stated was the unfriendly nature of the refrigerant and it's dangerous high pressure.

There's always going to be urban legends in this business that have their roots in fact but fear off their application based on misinformation or plain bad training.

kenmac said:

You guys ever worked on any ammonia charged N.G. a/c units ?? Talking about something that will take your breath away !! Most if not all of these units that I use to service are gone due to the EPA regulations. I sure am glad to see them gone

Click to expand...

They are still around. EPA does not have a ban or regulation against these units because the chemical solution they use.


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