BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuChemical pneumonitisAspiration pneumonia - chemicalChemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty due to inhaling chemical fumes or breathing in and choking on certain chemicals.Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Many chemicals used in the home and workplace can cause pneumonitis.Some common dangerous inhaled substances include:Chlorine gas (breathed in from cleaning materials such as chlorine bleach, during industrial accidents, or near swimming pools) Grain and fertilizer dust Noxious fumes from pesticides Smoke (from house fires and wildfires)There are two types of pneumonitis:Acute pneumonitis occurs suddenly after breathing in the substance. Long-term (chronic) pneumonitis occurs after exposure to low levels of the substance over a long time. This causes inflammation and may lead to stiffness of the lungs. As a result, the lungs start to lose their ability to get oxygen to the body. Untreated, this condition can cause respiratory failure and death.RespiratoryThe words "respiratory" and "respiration" refer to the lungs and breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic aspiration of acid from the stomach and exposure to chemical warfare can also lead to chemical pneumonitis. Symptoms Acute symptoms may include:Air hunger (feeling that you cannot get enough air) Breathing that sounds wet or gurgling (abnormal lung sounds) Cough Difficulty breathing Unusual sensation (possibly burning feeling) in the chest Chronic symptoms may include: Cough (may or may not occur) Progressive disability (related to shortness of breath) Rapid breathing (tachypnea) Rapid breathingHyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath with only mild exercise Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected:Blood gases (measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood) Blood gasesBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of chest CT scan of chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function studies (tests to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning) Lung function studiesPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the chest X-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing studies to check if stomach acid is the cause of pneumonitis Blood tests of kidney and liver function Treatment Treatment is focused on reversing the cause of inflammation and reducing symptoms. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation, often before long-term scarring occurs.Antibiotics are usually not helpful or needed, unless there is a secondary infection. Oxygen therapy may be helpful.In cases of swallowing and stomach problems, eating small meals in the upright position can help. In severe cases, a feeding tube in the stomach is needed, although this does not always completely prevent aspiration into the lungs. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on the chemical, the severity of exposure, and whether the problem is acute or chronic. Possible Complications Respiratory failure and death can occur. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have trouble breathing after inhaling (or possibly inhaling) any substance. Prevention Only use household chemicals as directed, and always in well-ventilated areas with proper protective equipment. Never mix ammonia and bleach.Follow workplace rules for breathing masks and wear the right mask. People who work near fire should take care to limit their exposure to smoke or gases.Be careful about giving mineral oil to anyone who might choke on it (children or older people).Sit up while eating and don't lie down right after eating if you have swallowing problems.Do not siphon gas, kerosene, or other toxic liquid chemicals.Open ReferencesReferencesChristiani DC. Physical and chemical injuries of the lungs. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 88.Gibbs AR, Attanoos RL. Environmental- and toxin-induced lung diseases. In: Zander DS, Farver CF, eds. Pulmonary Pathology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.Kushchner WG, Blanc PD. Acute responses to toxic exposures. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 103.Tarlo SM. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87.AllVideoImagesTogLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationRelated Information Breathing difficulty(Symptoms)Acute(Special Topic)Chronic(Special Topic)Swelling(Symptoms)Blue discoloration of the skin(Symptoms)Respiratory(Special Topic) Review Date: 7/31/2022 Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 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Chemical pneumonitisAspiration pneumonia - chemicalChemical pneumonitis is inflammation of the lungs or breathing difficulty due to inhaling chemical fumes or breathing in and choking on certain chemicals.Breathing difficultyBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Many chemicals used in the home and workplace can cause pneumonitis.Some common dangerous inhaled substances include:Chlorine gas (breathed in from cleaning materials such as chlorine bleach, during industrial accidents, or near swimming pools) Grain and fertilizer dust Noxious fumes from pesticides Smoke (from house fires and wildfires)There are two types of pneumonitis:Acute pneumonitis occurs suddenly after breathing in the substance. Long-term (chronic) pneumonitis occurs after exposure to low levels of the substance over a long time. This causes inflammation and may lead to stiffness of the lungs. As a result, the lungs start to lose their ability to get oxygen to the body. Untreated, this condition can cause respiratory failure and death.RespiratoryThe words "respiratory" and "respiration" refer to the lungs and breathing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic aspiration of acid from the stomach and exposure to chemical warfare can also lead to chemical pneumonitis. Symptoms Acute symptoms may include:Air hunger (feeling that you cannot get enough air) Breathing that sounds wet or gurgling (abnormal lung sounds) Cough Difficulty breathing Unusual sensation (possibly burning feeling) in the chest Chronic symptoms may include: Cough (may or may not occur) Progressive disability (related to shortness of breath) Rapid breathing (tachypnea) Rapid breathingHyperventilation is rapid and deep breathing. It is also called overbreathing, and it may leave you feeling breathless.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Shortness of breath with only mild exercise Shortness of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests The following tests help determine how severely the lungs are affected:Blood gases (measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood) Blood gasesBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of chest CT scan of chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lung function studies (tests to measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning) Lung function studiesPulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the chest X-ray of the chestA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swallowing studies to check if stomach acid is the cause of pneumonitis Blood tests of kidney and liver function Treatment Treatment is focused on reversing the cause of inflammation and reducing symptoms. Corticosteroids may be given to reduce inflammation, often before long-term scarring occurs.Antibiotics are usually not helpful or needed, unless there is a secondary infection. Oxygen therapy may be helpful.In cases of swallowing and stomach problems, eating small meals in the upright position can help. In severe cases, a feeding tube in the stomach is needed, although this does not always completely prevent aspiration into the lungs. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome depends on the chemical, the severity of exposure, and whether the problem is acute or chronic. Possible Complications Respiratory failure and death can occur. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have trouble breathing after inhaling (or possibly inhaling) any substance. Prevention Only use household chemicals as directed, and always in well-ventilated areas with proper protective equipment. Never mix ammonia and bleach.Follow workplace rules for breathing masks and wear the right mask. People who work near fire should take care to limit their exposure to smoke or gases.Be careful about giving mineral oil to anyone who might choke on it (children or older people).Sit up while eating and don't lie down right after eating if you have swallowing problems.Do not siphon gas, kerosene, or other toxic liquid chemicals.Open ReferencesReferencesChristiani DC. Physical and chemical injuries of the lungs. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 88.Gibbs AR, Attanoos RL. Environmental- and toxin-induced lung diseases. In: Zander DS, Farver CF, eds. Pulmonary Pathology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.Kushchner WG, Blanc PD. Acute responses to toxic exposures. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 103.Tarlo SM. Occupational lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 87.
