Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can be generated in your own home without your knowledge. Appliances such as space heaters, gas stoves, furnaces, heaters, and refrigerators can all emit CO if poorly ventilated. A gas leak can also be a major cause of carbon monoxide emission. Modern refrigerators usually use a refrigerant called HFCa 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane , which does not deplete the ozone layer, instead of Freon. A Ra is now becoming very uncommon in Europe.
Newer refrigerants are being used instead. Refrigerators emit low EMR, and are considered safe when used correctly, but if there is a malfunction they are considered a safety hazard. Hydrofluorocarbons are gases used in refrigerators , air conditioners, insulation, and other applications. They aren't as bad for the ozone, but they do contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The U. Your home's refrigerator does more than store milk and meat.
It also contains chemicals that emit greenhouse gases. New fridges will likely be greener. Fridges contain toxic gas - don't worry, it's only a small amount that helps it to work - and occasionally this can start to leak if there is a fault with the appliance.
In particular, you want to watch out for the sharp smell of ammonia, as this could be a sign that the gases within the fridge are leaking. Sleeping next to a fridge is dangerous Not because the fridge is dangerous itself, but the lack of sleep it can produce is bad for your health. Even if you go to bed on time, your sleep quality decreases. A lack of sleep causes all of the following problems: increased risks of diseases like Alzheimer's. Refrigerators fridges are safe to have in the bedroom , if you have no other place to store it.
The EPA's Hufford says "a proliferation of incidents" have occurred in which flammable refrigerants have been used in non-flammable units. She adds: "We know they can be used safely" if they adhere to federal guidelines. She says a technician can fix any leaks and may be able to suggest a safe, cleaner refrigerant replacement.
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In many countries there are no proper regulations in place. This is especially a concern in developing countries, according to Dean. In some cases HFCs are also finding their way into products illegally, which is threatening to undermine efforts to phase them out.
In the second half of , 54 tonnes of HFCs were seized, a ten-fold increase compared to the same period in , according to unpublished analysis by EIA. According to Perry, ineffective enforcement is allowing large-scale illegal HFC trade and some of these may end up in devices sold to consumers. The chemical industry is taking steps to stop illegal trade in HFCs and consumers can find out which companies have pledged to take action on a website they set up.
But more needs to be done, says Perry. For those already looking to replace their fridge or air conditioning unit with something that is better for the planet, there are a growing number of options available. Manufacturers have started turning to climate-friendly chemicals, known as natural refrigerants, which have comparatively low or zero global warming potential. Ammonia, certain hydrocarbons and CO2 are the most popular options.
Coca Cola has pledged that all new cold drinks equipment it uses will be HFC-free and has already switched to using the hydrocarbon propane in many of its vending machines. But safety concerns are hindering an industry-wide transition towards natural refrigerants. Ammonia, for example, is highly toxic meaning it would present a health risk should it escape through a leak while propane is a flammable gas.
But relatively small amounts of these chemicals are needed in the sealed tubes that circulate them around fridges and air conditioning units. Environmental campaigners say chemical manufacturers are also resisting the shift to these natural substances.
US chemical manufacturer Honeywell has invested in hydrofluoroolefins HFOs instead of natural refrigerants, producing a patented chemical called HFOyf.
But Perry says these substances are not long-term solutions as they produce toxic acid as they break down in the atmosphere which pollutes groundwater. One company that has committed to phasing out HFCs is Mabe, a major Mexican manufacturer that distributes appliances to over 70 countries. It has announced that it will completely phase out HFCs from its 11 production plants this year, replacing them with hydrocarbons.
Another manufacturer, Electrolux, has pledged to remove all HFCs from its fridges and freezers by For consumers, however, working out which appliances contain natural refrigerants is not always easy. Refrigerators emit low EMR, and are considered safe when used correctly, but if there is a malfunction they are considered a safety hazard.
Modern fridges use about one-tenth of the electricity of their predecessors. They are more environmentally friendly and produce less radiation. Any appliance which feeds on a continual electrical current poses risks.
However, anyone who grabs a cold beer from the fridge on a hot afternoon will probably find those risks are well worth taking. By Tim Butters. The Drip Cap The modern household would fall into chaos without a fridge.
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