Warning Issued Over Illegal Air Conditioner Mixed Refrigerants: "Creates Spontaneous Combustion Materials, Fire Risk"

It has been confirmed that illegal mixed refrigerants for air conditioners distributed online and through other channels react with aluminum components inside outdoor units to produce spontaneously combustible materials, potentially leading to fires.

The National Fire Agency announced that it has verified the fire risks of illegal mixed refrigerants and initiated a joint response with relevant ministries.

According to the National Fire Agency, a total of 36 fires suspected to have been caused by air conditioner refrigerants have been recorded over the past five years.

By year, the number increased from 1 in 2022, 2 in 2023, and 6 in 2024 to 13 last year, with another 14 occurring by July of this year.

By situation, fires occurring during air conditioner removal or refrigerant recharging were the most common at 17 cases (47.2%).

This was followed by 13 cases (36.1%) during air conditioner operation, 4 cases (11.1%) while the units were turned off, and 2 cases (5.6%) with unknown status.

Noticing the unusual pattern of fires, the National Fire Agency, along with the National Fire Research Institute, fire investigation agencies in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters, began investigating the risks starting on August 3 of last month.

As a result of the investigation, trimethylaluminum was detected inside the outdoor units where the fires occurred.

Classified as a Class 3 hazardous material under the Dangerous Substances Safety Management Act, this substance ignites spontaneously when exposed to air and reacts violently upon contact with water.

The National Fire Agency explained that chloromethane (R-40) contained in illegal mixed refrigerants reacts with aluminum components inside outdoor units to generate trimethylaluminum.

Illegal mixed refrigerants are products created by mixing chloromethane into R-22 refrigerant containers used for older air conditioners and selling them labeled as R-22.

Because production of R-22 was halted after 2023 due to ozone layer depletion issues, its price has risen significantly, and low-cost mixed refrigerants that have not gone through formal import procedures are being distributed via online shopping malls and direct overseas purchases, according to the National Fire Agency.

While mixed refrigerants operate normally when initially injected, hazardous substances can gradually form during the air conditioner operation process.

Subsequently, when pipes are cut for removal or recharging, contact with air or moisture can lead to ignition.

In fact, on July 24, at the scene of a house fire in Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, a fire investigator collecting evidence suffered second-degree burns on both hands due to a spark generated at the refrigerant inlet of an outdoor unit.

In June, in Ganghwa, Incheon, a man in his 70s injecting gas into an outdoor unit was also severely injured in an explosion and transported by a doctor helicopter.

The National Fire Agency is reviewing countermeasures with related agencies such as the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Korea Consumer Agency, including blocking the import and online distribution of illegal mixed refrigerants and issuing consumer warnings.

The National Fire Agency stated that genuine refrigerants that have undergone official customs clearance and quality inspection are safe, while advising consumers to avoid refrigerants that are excessively cheaper than market prices or lack quality certification marks, and to use officially registered contractors for installation.

Joo Young-guk, Director General of the 119 Response Bureau at the National Fire Agency, said, "Illegal mixed refrigerants cannot be identified with the naked eye, making it difficult for users to recognize the danger," adding, "We will continuously check the status of fire occurrences with relevant ministries and promptly inform the public of any additional findings."

(Photo provided by National Fire Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.