Acute respiratory distress associated with inhaled hydrocarbon

• Published in: American journal of industrial medicine 2011-12, Vol.54 (12), p.911-914
• Main Authors: Weibrecht, Kathryn W., Rhyee, Sean H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Lung Injury - chemically induced; Albuterol - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchodilator Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons - adverse effects; Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects; liquefied petroleum gas; Male; Medical sciences; Methylprednisolone - therapeutic use; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Pneumology; Pneumonia - chemically induced; Pneumonia - drug therapy; pneumonitis; Prednisone - therapeutic use; pulmonary toxicity; respiratory distress; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - chemically induced; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - drug therapy; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases
• ISSN: 0271-3586; 1097-0274; 1097-0274
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20989

Background Pneumonitis is a well‐known complication following aspiration of ingested liquid hydrocarbons. There are few data about acute pulmonary toxicity from unintentional hydrocarbon inhalation; most human cases involve products containing a fluoropolymer in combination with hydrocarbons. Methods Case report of a 45‐year‐old male who presented with respiratory distress after a 15‐min inhalational exposure to a canvas waterproofing spray containing liquefied petroleum gas, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and isopropanol. Results Patients had symptoms, exam findings, and chest X‐ray that were consistent with an acute pneumonitis. Conclusion Acute pulmonary injury can occur after a short exposure to an inhaled hydrocarbon and associated symptoms appear to respond to supportive measures, including oxygen, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:911–914, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.