CEDAR RAPIDS  (AP) --- A man died while inhaling Freon gas, police said.

Gregory Proehl, 37, of Center Point, died Aug. 16. Linn County Medical Examiner Dr. Don Linder ruled the death accidental.

Proehl was employed in the heating and cooling industry and died within minutes of inhaling the gas, a refrigerator coolant, information on his death certificate said.

Proehl's body was found on his bed with a respirator mask on his face. The mask was hooked up to a tank of Freon, officials with the Linn County sheriff's office said.

Officials said it appears that Proehl may have been trying to get high from inhaling the gas.

Sheriff's Capt. Rik Haendler said inhaling Freon is a relatively new trend.

"They are doing it to get high. It's not accidental because they are going out and doing it. It's an accident (a person) died," Haendler said.

Haendler, a 25-year veteran, said it's the first such case he has seen.

Linder said inhaling any gas to get high, known as huffing, is dangerous.

"Any time that you are inhaling toxic substances, it can render you unconscious and stop your breathing," Linder said. "It's extremely dangerous."

Source:  http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2005/09/13/news/breaking_news/doc43271aac0a270153987939.txt