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Warning-sign checks

Refrigerant poisoning: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services immediately if refrigerant exposure is followed by:

    • Trouble breathing, severe wheezing, or blue or grey lips
    • Chest pain, a pounding or irregular heartbeat, or collapse
    • Fainting, a seizure, severe confusion, or unusual drowsiness
    • Inability to wake the person normally
    • Severe eye pain, loss of vision, or extensive cold burns
    • Symptoms after a major leak in an enclosed space

    Tell emergency responders that refrigerant may be present so they can use suitable protective equipment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact a poison centre promptly after swallowing refrigerant, direct eye exposure, a concentrated inhalation, or any exposure when the chemical is unknown.

    In the United States, Poison Control is available at 1-800-222-1222.

    Elsewhere, use your local poison information service.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical follow-up if mild symptoms have resolved but a cough, headache, poor concentration, numb skin, vision change, or reduced exercise tolerance continues.

    Workplace exposures should also be reported through the appropriate occupational health or safety process.

The article also says

Do not enter an unsafe area to reach someone.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Refrigerant poisoning. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.