chemical pneumonitis

Etiology

• acid fumes: H2SO4, HNO3
  • acute toxicity
    • mucous membrane irritation followed by chemical pneumonitis in 2-3 days
  • chronic exposure: no data
  • epidemiology:
    • manufacture of fertilizers, chlorinated organic compounds, dyes, explosives, rubber products, metal etching, plastics
• ammonia
  • acute toxicity
    • mucous membrane irritation followed by chemical pneumonitis in 2-3 days
  • chronic exposure: chronic bronchitis
  • epidemiology:
    • refrigeration, petroleum refining, manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, plastics & other chemicals
• cyanides
  • acute toxicity
    • tachypnea followed by respiratory arrest
    • lactic acidosis
    • pulmonary edema
    • death
  • chronic exposure: no data
  • epidemiology:
    • electroplating
    • extraction of gold or silver
    • manufacture of mirrors, fumgigants, photo supplies
• diazomethane
  • acute toxicity
    • violent coughing, dyspnea, wheezing, pulmonary edema
  • chronic exposure: no data
  • epidemiology: laboratory workers, methylating agent
• halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine)
• acute toxicity
  • mucous membrane irritation, pulmonary edema possible reduced FVC 1-2 years after exposure
• chronic exposure:
  • dryness of mucous membranes, epistaxis, dental fluorosis, tracheobronchitis
• epidemiology:
  • bleaching in pulp, paper or textile industry, manufacture of chemical compounds, synthetic rubber, plastics, disinfectant, rocket fuel, gasoline
• formaldehyde
  • acute toxicity
    • mucous membrane irritation followed by chemical pneumonitis in 2-3 days
  • chronic exposure: cancer in laboratory animals
  • epidemiology:
    • manufacture of resins, leathers, rubber, metals & wood, laboratory workers (fixative), embalmers, emission from urethane foam insulation
• hydrogen sulfide
  • acute toxicity:
    • low level exposure: conjunctival irritation
    • high level exposure: respiratory paralysis
  • chronic exposure: chronic bronchitis, recurrent pneumonitis
  • epidemiology:
    • by-product of many industrial processes, petroleum processes & storage
• isocyanates
  • acute toxicity:
    • mucous membrane irritation, dyspnea, cough, wheezing, pulmonary edema
  • chronic exposure:
    • upper respiratory tract irritation, cough, asthma, allergic alveolitis
  • epidemiology:
    • production of polyurethane foams, plastics, adhesives, surface coatings
• nitrogen dioxide
  • acute toxicity:
    • cough, dyspnea, pulmonary edema may be delayed 4-12 hours, bronchiolitis obliterans in 2-6 weeks (possible)
  • chronic exposure: emphysema in animal models
  • epidemiology:
    • silage, metal etching, explosives, racket fuels, welding, by-product of burning fossil fuels
• ozone
  • acute toxicity:
    • mucous membrane irritation, pulmonary hemorrhage & edema, diminished pulmonary function (transient) in individuals exposed to summer smog
  • chronic exposure: chronic eye irritation
  • epidemiology:
    • arc welding, flour bleaching, deodorizing, emissions from copying equipment, photochemical air pollutant
• phosgene
  • acute toxicity:
    • delayed onset of bronchiolitis & pulmonary edema
  • chronic exposure: chronic bronchitis
  • epidemiology:
    • metallurgy, chemical workers (volatile chlorine-containing compounds)
• phthalic anhydride
  • acute toxicity:
    • nasal irritation, cough
  • chronic exposure: asthma, chronic bronchitis
  • epidemiology:
    • manufacture of resin esters, polyester resins, thermoactivated adhesives
• sulfur dioxide
  • acute toxicity:
    • mucous membrane irritant, epistaxis
  • chronic exposure: chronic bronchitis (possible)
  • epidemiology:
    • manufacture of sulfuric acid, bleaches, coating of metals (non-ferrous), food processing, refrigerant, burning of fossil fuels, wood pulp industry

More general terms

• pneumonitis