Respiratory tract symptoms after exposure to a chlorine gas leak

Details

• Personal Author:
  Deitchman, Scott D. ; Hankinson, John L. ; Kinsley KB ; Petsonk, Edward L. ; Short, Steven R.
• Description:
  Respiratory effects of toxic gas inhalation are related to the exposure concentration and duration, and the solubility of the gas. Inhalation of chlorine gas may result in upper and lower respiratory irritation, depending on the concentration inhaled. We investigated the development and persistence of respiratory symptoms in a group of firefighters who worked during a 70 ton chlorine gas leak in May 1991. Six months following the incident, a self-administered questionnaire was mailed to approximately 150 firefighters. It requested information on the occurrence and duration of upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, the individual firefighter's location during the incident , the duration of exposure to the gas, and the timing and type of respiratory protection used (if any). Symptoms queried were cough, chest tightness, wheeze, tearing eyes, sore throat, headache, runny nose, and sneezing. Additionally, respondents were asked to describe symptoms not specifically listed in the questionnaire. Forty firefighters (approximately 27%) who were present during the chlorine leak responded, of whom 39 (98%) described inhaling the chlorine gas. Most , 28 (72%) had never smoked cigarettes regularly; and 2 (5%) were current cigarette smokers. Commonly reported symptoms included cough (79%), sore throat (71%), chest tightness (61%), headache (58%), tearing eyes (56%) and wheeze (49%). Gas exposure duration was estimated by 36 respondents, and ranged from a minimum of 2 minutes to a maximum of 14 hours, with a median of 3 hours exposure to the gas. Thirty-two (82%) related some use of respiratory protection during the incident, with 15 (46%) using it for less than 25% of the exposure time and 11 (33%) using it 75- 100% of the exposure time. Response time prior to donning the respirator ranged from less than l minute, to 3.5 hours, with a median response time of 5 minutes. Two firefighters (5%) were still experiencing symptoms six months after the incident. One reported wheeze, and the other noted shortness of breath, hoarseness, and dizziness. No significant association was seen between the duration of a firefighter's symptoms and the duration of gas exposure, the time prior to donning the respirator, or the percentage of exposure time the respirator was used. Based on the available data, aside from location in the plume, no risk factors were identified for the persistence of respiratory tract symptoms in firefighters who were exposed to a chlorine gas leak. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Chlorine Environmental Exposure Firefighters Hazardous Substances Lung Lung Diseases Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Smokers Surveys And Questionnaires

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• Keywords:
  Exposure Levels Fire Fighters Gases Pulmonary System Pulmonary System Disorders Questionnaires Respiratory Irritants Respiratory System Disorders Risk Factors Smoking Toxic Gases

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• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  149
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048560
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994 Apr; 149(Abstract Issue):A398
• CAS Registry Number:
  Chlorine (CAS RN 7782-50-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1994
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Supplement:
  Abstract Issue
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:516e1b84b015c3fb490c618b87445ef19677eeb45891a76ae3e7e5c5b9fcf2a23d67b49b0f356c1e11fef88c44121da019853ad97104f3b753d35f6658280113
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203285/cdc_203285_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.32 MB ]