UW dormitory briefly evacuated due to freon leak
SEATTLE - McMahon Hall, an 11-story student housing facility on the University of Washington campus, was evacuated briefly on Sunday after a report of a possible freon leak in the building's food preparation area, fire officials said.
Eight people were evaluated at the scene but did not need to be taken to the hospital, said Kyle Moore of the Seattle Fire Department.
Investigators made their way through the building but found no danger. Everyone was allowed back into the building about an hour later.
McMahon Hall, located in the northeast area of the UW campus, houses hundreds of students and includes a dining area and other amenities.
Eight people were evaluated at the scene but did not need to be taken to the hospital, said Kyle Moore of the Seattle Fire Department.
Investigators made their way through the building but found no danger. Everyone was allowed back into the building about an hour later.
McMahon Hall, located in the northeast area of the UW campus, houses hundreds of students and includes a dining area and other amenities.
SOunds like it could have been cold to me.
Freon? I that that was banned years ago.
 @sadatoni No, only most CFCs (Chloro-FluoroCarbons such as R12, R22 and such) were banned. FCs (fluorocarbons such as R134a and R414b) were not. It is the chlorine in the CFCs which plays havoc in the upper atmosphere - acting as a catalyst to convert two ozone (O3) molecules into three normal oxygen (O2) molecules. FC Freons do not have the chlorine, so are not harmful in that manner.
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Of course - like CFCs - they can still exclude oxygen and so asphyxiate you in sufficient concentration.
Glad nobody was hurt!