A refrigerator with a refrigerant leak sits next to a gas water heater with a pilot light. Why is this a hazard?

Safety · EPA 608 Type I. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.

Decomposition products of refrigerants at high temperatures, and safe handling.

The question

A refrigerator with a refrigerant leak sits next to a gas water heater with a pilot light. Why is this a hazard?

• ALeaking refrigerant drawn into the flame can form toxic gasesCorrect answer
• BThe refrigerant will make the pilot burn hotter
• CThe pilot will freeze from the cold refrigerant
• DThere is no hazard, as refrigerants are nontoxic in any amount

Why “Leaking refrigerant drawn into the flame can form toxic gases” is correct

Any open flame, including a pilot light, can decompose refrigerant vapor that drifts into it. The result can include hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and, for chlorine-containing refrigerants, phosgene.

Source: EPA: Test Topics

Why the other answers are wrong

• The refrigerant will make the pilot burn hotter — The main danger is toxic decomposition, not a hotter pilot.
• The pilot will freeze from the cold refrigerant — A small leak does not freeze a pilot flame.
• There is no hazard, as refrigerants are nontoxic in any amount — Low-toxicity refrigerants can still form highly toxic products in a flame.

Practice more of this

More EPA 608 Type I practice questions, or see every EPA 608 practice test.