TY - JOUR
T1 - Chronic ammonia inhalation and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
T2 - A Case report and review of the literature
AU - Brautbar, Nachman
AU - Wu, Michael P.
AU - Richter, Elihu D.
PY - 2003/9
Y1 - 2003/9
N2 - Ammonia is an irritant gas with a characteristic pungent odor, which is widely used in industry. Inasmuch as ammonia is highly soluble in water and, upon inhalation, is deposited in the upper airways, occupational exposures to ammonia have commonly been associated with sinusitis, upper airway irritation, and eye irritation. Acute exposures to high levels of ammonia have also been associated with diseases of the lower airways and interstitial lung. In this study, the authors report on a patient with long-term, repetitive occupational exposure to ammonia at levels at or above odor recognition who developed interstitial lung disease. The scientific literature on inhaled ammonia exposure is reviewed and discussed. The authors conclude that the taking of a careful occupational exposure history for patients presenting with shortness of breath associated with ammonia exposure may assist with an early diagnosis, thus allowing for treatment early in the disease process and prevention of further exposure.
AB - Ammonia is an irritant gas with a characteristic pungent odor, which is widely used in industry. Inasmuch as ammonia is highly soluble in water and, upon inhalation, is deposited in the upper airways, occupational exposures to ammonia have commonly been associated with sinusitis, upper airway irritation, and eye irritation. Acute exposures to high levels of ammonia have also been associated with diseases of the lower airways and interstitial lung. In this study, the authors report on a patient with long-term, repetitive occupational exposure to ammonia at levels at or above odor recognition who developed interstitial lung disease. The scientific literature on inhaled ammonia exposure is reviewed and discussed. The authors conclude that the taking of a careful occupational exposure history for patients presenting with shortness of breath associated with ammonia exposure may assist with an early diagnosis, thus allowing for treatment early in the disease process and prevention of further exposure.
KW - Ammonia
KW - Case report
KW - Industrial hygiene
KW - Interstitial lung disease
KW - Occupational exposure
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4444373587&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3200/AEOH.58.9.592-596
DO - 10.3200/AEOH.58.9.592-596
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C2 - 15369278
AN - SCOPUS:4444373587
SN - 0003-9896
VL - 58
SP - 592
EP - 596
JO - Archives of Environmental Health
JF - Archives of Environmental Health
IS - 9
ER -