Fluorinated Hydrocarbons
Quick Reference
What are Fluorinated Hydrocarbons ?
These are a class of substances that are used as commercial refrigerants. At ambient temperatures and pressures, they are a gas; however, they are stored, transported and used in refrigeration systems in a compressed, liquid, state.
Crew Safety
- Staging/Perimeter
- Initial staging for small leak: 100 m
- Staging for large leak: 800 m. If large tank involved in a fire: 1600 m.
- Additional Resources
- If rescue required, large release of gasses, or ongoing leak present, fire department or other agency with SCBA and Chemical protective clothing will be required.
- PPE requirements
- Rescue or entering area with active leak requires SCBA and chemical protective clothing.
- Once patient in ambient air in a safe location standard PPE available to paramedics is sufficient.
- Safely initiating patient contact
- Patient should be brought to the crew away from the source of the leak in a well-ventilated area.
- If clothing contaminated it should be removed. Crew may assist with decontamination.
Effect on the Patient
Release of pressurized gasses may cause frostbite. Some refrigerants are highly water soluble, forming acids such as hydrofluoric acid when dissolved in water. They may cause localized irritation of mucous membranes, eyes, and skin. If inhaled, they act as an anesthetic: expect altered cognition or decreased level of consciousness. Also causes increased sensitivity of the myocardium to catecholamines, increasing the propensity for fatal dysrhythmias.
Patient Decontamination
- Moving patient to ambient air is the primary form of decontamination.
- Eye irritation present flush eyes for 15 minutes.
- Remove contaminated clothing and flush skin with water if patient was exposed to significant quantities of gas.
Patient Treatment
- Monitor for potential dysrhythmias. Use epi judiciously, if at all. Otherwise treat as per CPGs.
- Treat frostbite with lukewarm water, gentle rewarming. Avoid heat and rubbing.
Safe Transfer of Care
No concerns about offgassing or secondary contamination.
Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination
None needed.
Quick Access Resources
DPIC Monograph
Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet
No SDS available
Emergency Response Guidebook
CANTUEC - Refrigerant Properties and Associated Risks
Revision History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2026-05-01 | Initial version | Clinical Hub |