Environment Effect Dicloromethane, Iodoform, Freon

(1) Dichloromethane 

(A) Higher levels of dichloromethane in air causes nausea, numbness in fingers and toes, dizziness.

(B) Lower levels of dichloromethane causes impaired vision and hearing.

(C) Direct contact with eyes can damage cornea.

(2) Trichloromethane or chloroform (CHCl 3 

(A) When chloroform is exposed to air in the presence of sunlight, it slowly oxidised to phosgene, a poisonous compound, therefore it is stored in dark, amber coloured bottles.

(B) Chloroform vapour when inhaled for a short time causes dizziness, headache and fatigue and if inhaled for long time affects central nervous system.

(3) Tetrachloromethane or carbon tetrachloride 

(A) Exposure to carbon tetrachloride causes eye irritation, damages nerve cells, vomiting sensation, dizziness consciousness or death. Long exposure to chloroform may affect liver.

(B) When mixed with air it causes depletion of the ozone layer, which affects human skin leading to cancer.

(4) Iodoform 

Iodoform has a strong smell. It causes irritation to skin and eyes. It may cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulty, dizziness, nausea, depression of central nervous system, visual disturbance.

(5) Freon

(A) Freon as refrigerant causes ozone depletion.

(B) Freons have low toxicity and low biological activity.

(C) Freons from propane group are more toxic in nature.

(D) Regular large inhalation of freon results in breathing problems, organ damage, loss of consciousness.