Is the fluid used in a closed loop potentially environmentally harmful?
The main fluids used in a closed loop system are, denatured ethanol and methanol. The nature of the in-ground loops prevents them from leaking large quantities of fluid should leaks occur because the pressure in the pipe is hydraulic and depends on a contained circuit to maintain pressure. Methanol released into the air has a half life of 17.8 days. It breaks down into formaldehyde or it can react with nitrogen dioxide in polluted air to form methyl nitrite. In the soil methanol biodegrades as there are several types of bacteria that digest it. In water, methanol biodegenerates with the aid of bacteria. It does not readily accumulate in biota. In humans, the liver breaks down methanol into formaldehyde and formic acid. It is the formic acid that is responsible for the symptoms of intoxication by methanol such as incoordination, salivation, lethargy, narcosis, and death. Methanol is not permitted for use in Ontario . Denatured ethanol is simply ethyl alcohol (i.e. vodka, gin, etc) to wh
