Broken fridge and freezer dangerous?

[what..the?]

I have a fitted fridge and freezer at least 15 years old they appear to look like separate items stacked on top of each other because there appears to be a mdf veneered shelf/divider in the middle, I dont know how 'linked the two are but they share a joint switch on the wall.

The freezer seemed to stop working 4 days ago and now the fridge too, as I am not home a have stitched them off at the mains for safety. Both have been looked after well and the freezer defrosed regulary but not too recently for that to be the cause of the problems.

I dont plan on moving the fitted items anytime soon due the location and stairs to remove the items I have a spare fridge freezer I am going to bring in.

Doesn't a fridge/freezer have gases inside and are these gases danagerous to humans. Has there ever been a case that these gases will leak in old of broken/faulty units. I keep a number of small pets in the kitchen, as they are alot smaller than humans I assume even small amounts of any dangerous gas would effect them more and make them unwell?

Should I be worried and remove the fridge sooner? I plan of leaving it upto a couple months.

[Old_Geezer]

You do not suggest that the problem with either is escaped gasses so I suspect it isn;t a problem.

My suspicion is that if the freon was escaping it is under such pressure it would have gone by now anyway.

[what..the?]

Thanks for your answer, I really dont know the cause for them breaking, maybe it is as you say the freon?

[Old_Geezer]

I made a quick search of the Net for you. What I read is that the gasses are not toxic in themselves, but that if you had a roomful (which obviously won't be the case) then it might push the oxygen out.

I suspect you have no concern about leaving the fridge/frezer for now.

[what..the?]

great thanks for that I can rest easy

[Teleph0ne]

The gasses are more dangerous to the planet than to individuals, they cause environmental damage and contribute to the hole in the ozone layer so they try to de-gas fridges & freezers when they are scrapped. I can't see you having a problem with the gas in your home

[what..the?]

great thanks

[johnk]

Have you tried cleaning the radiators on the back of the fridge and freezer. They should be cleaned each year but if not they will clog up and stop working and then the freezer/fridge will stop working. If you dispose of them most councils will take domestic ones for free and dispose of the gases properly.

[PLIVELY34]

the gas used is probably R134A. this is not toxic to humans or animals, but not good for the ozone. It may also be R600A Isobutane again not toxic to humans but extremely flammable. the amount of gas in a fridge would be similar to the amount in a cigarette lighter to it would not take long to leak from the appliance. Your Fridge compressor could be faulty or it may be low in gas. If the gas escape has been the result of an internal leak it would unlikely to be repairable