Health Encyclopedia

Chemical pneumonitis

Definition

Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty caused by inhaling chemical fumes.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Many household and industrial chemicals are capable of producing both an acute and a chronic form of inflammation in the lung. Acute chemical pneumonitis causes swelling of the lung tissue, movement of fluid into the air spaces in the lung, and less ability to absorb oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. In severe cases, death may result from lack of oxygen reaching the tissues (hypoxia).

Chlorine gas is one of the most irritating commonly inhaled substance. Exposure to dangerous levels of chlorine gas may occur at home (during use of cleaning materials such as chlorine bleach), in industrial accidents, or near swimming pools. Inhalation of dangerous substances can occur in many different settings, including factories (especially during smelting, welding, or other metal work), the production or use of solvents or pesticides, fires (house fires, wildfires), and the handling of grain.

Chronic chemical pneumonitis can follow low levels of exposure to the lung irritant over extended periods of time. This causes inflammation and may provoke fibrosis (scarring) with decreased oxygen exchange and stiffening of the lung. Unchecked, this condition may ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death.

Symptoms

Acute:

Unusual sensation (possibly burning feeling) in the chest
Difficulty breathing
Air hunger (feeling that you cannot get enough air)
Cough
Possibly wet or gurgle sounding breathing (abnormal lung sounds)

Chronic:

Shortness of breath with only mild exercise
Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
Cough may or may not occur
Progressive disability (related to shortness of breath)

Signs and tests

The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected:

X-ray of the chest
Blood gas
Lung function studies
CT scan of chest

Treatment

Treatment is focused on reducing symptoms. Oxygen therapy may be helpful. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on the chemical agent involved, the severity of exposure, and whether the problem is acute or chronic.

Complications

Respiratory failure and death can occur.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have trouble breathing after inhaling (or possibly inhaling) any substance.

Prevention

Household chemicals should be used only as directed and always in well-ventilated areas. Work rules regarding breathing masks should be followed and the appropriate breathing mask should be worn. Persons who work near fires should take care to limit exposure to smoke or gases.

Review Date:11/13/2006
Reviewed By:David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.