Acute chlorine gas inhalations: A case series

Abstract

Objectives: Chlorine gas intoxications are the second most common inhalational poisonings after carbonmonoxide in the emergency departments. In this study, we aimed to investigate the demographic features, admission complaints, clinical and laboratory characteristics of cases of chlorine inhalation.
Materials and Methods: Chlorine gas inhalation cases admitted to Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Gevher Nesibe Hospital Dr. Sait Molu Emergency Department between January 1995 and December 2001 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic features, place of exposure, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment modalities, duration of patients and admission time to the hospital were evaluated.
Results: There were 39 cases of chlorine gas intoxication. It was seen that all of the cases inhalated this gas by mixing sodium hypochloride and hypochloric acid accidentally. 27 of cases (69.2%) were female. Mean age of the patients was 35,28±15,2 years and 24 (61.5%) were house wife. Two cases during workplace cleaning, 19 cases during house cleaning inhalated chlorine gas. The mean duration of time between inhalation and admission to the hospital was 110±100 minutes. The most common complaints were dyspnea (92.3%), coughing (35.8%) and burning sensation in the throat (28.2%). There was wheezing in 8 cases (20.5%). The most common laboratory finding was leukocytosis in six cases (15.3%). There was tachycardia in electrocardiography of one patient and perihilar infiltration in lung x-ray of another patient. 37 (94.8%) of the patients were discharged following emergency treatment. Mean follow up time of patients treated in the emergency department was 4,66±1,8 hours. Two patients were hospitalized for treatment. Mortality had not been seen.
Conclusion: In Turkey, poisonings due to acute chlorine gas inhalation mostly occur during house cleaning by breathing vapour of sodium hypochloride and hypochloric acid mixture. Chlorine gas inhalation may affect the airways mildly or may cause more severe clinical outcomes. Education of people about the appropriate use of cleaning products and serious results of intoxications by media may help reducing such intoxications