Refrigerators and freezers cool the air by using a coolant gas called freon. It is a colorless, nonflammable gas that smells like freshly cut grass.

Freon may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, headache and nausea. Symptoms are more severe if exposure occurs in an enclosed area.

This type of exposure is usually not medically dangerous because refrigerators and freezers do not contain significant quantities of freon.