Chemical Pneumonitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management

Introduction

Chemical pneumonitis, also referred to as chemical pneumonia, is distinct from the majority of common pneumonia cases. Chemical pneumonia, which is not contagious and is typically caused by lung inflammation or irritation rather than a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, is pneumonia.

What Are the Causes of Chemical Pneumonitis?

Chemicals that enter the lungs and cause inflammation that leads to chemical pneumonitis. A significant event could have brought on the chemical pneumonitis (acute) or developed over time. This could result from ingesting or inhaling chemicals that could be dangerous or from aspirating stomach acid. When the valve separating the stomach from the esophagus fails to open properly, stomach acid can aspirate up the throat and into the lungs.

Aspiration pneumonia, a type of chemical pneumonitis, can result from stomach acid entering the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is more prevalent in the elderly because aspiration, which frequently takes the form of reflux, is common in older persons. The following list includes some of the typical dangerous substances known to induce chemical pneumonitis:

• Chlorine can be found in household cleaning products like bleach and chlorinated swimming pools.

• Dust from grains and fertilizer.

• Gaseous pesticides.

• Smoke from bonfires and wood stoves.

• Tobacco use and e-cigarettes.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Chemical Pneumonitis?

People may be exposed to these dangerous chemicals through certain occupations and surroundings, which raises the likelihood of developing chemical pneumonitis.

• Working on farms, building sites, and coal mines are a few of them.

• Working in a factory or garage for automobiles.

• Working at factories that produce glass, clay, and stone.

• Being exposed to dangerous chemicals, dust, and fibers while working.

• Workplaces where there is a lot of particulate matter (PM), including a variety of pollens, molds, dirt, ashes, and other contaminants.

What Are the Types of Chemical Pneumonitis?

The different types of chemical pneumonitis are:

• Acute Pneumonitis: After inhaling the drug, acute pneumonitis develops abruptly.

• Chronic Pneumonitis: After prolonged exposure to low doses of the drug, long-term (chronic) pneumonitis develops. This results in inflammation and could make the lungs rigid. As a result, the lungs begin to become less effective at supplying the body with oxygen. This illness can result in respiratory failure and death if left untreated.

What Are the Symptoms of Chemical Pneumonitis?

Acute signs could include:

• Feeling as though there is not enough air to breathe.

• Unusual lung noises, such as damp or gurgling breathing.

• Cough.

• Breathing challenges.

• Unusual feeling in the chest, possibly a scorching sensation.

Chronic symptoms include:

• Coughing (which may or may not occur).

• Progressive impairment (due to breathing difficulty).

• Breathing too quickly (tachypnea).

• Breathing difficulties even after light physical activity.

How Is Chemical Pneumonitis Diagnosed?

In order to ascertain how seriously the lungs are impacted, the following tests are used:

• Blood gasses (the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood) are measured.

• Chest CT (computed tomography) scan.

• Lung function studies (examinations to gauge breathing and lung capacity).

• Chest radiograph.

• Swallowing investigation to determine whether pneumonitis is brought on by stomach acid.

• Functional blood tests for the liver and kidneys.

How Is Chemical Pneumonitis Treated?

Reducing the inflammation and symptoms brought on by chemical pneumonitis is the major goal of treatment. Many conditions can be treated with corticosteroids. Antibiotics are a common treatment for infectious pneumonia. Unless a secondary infection has formed, antibiotics are less effective in treating chemical pneumonia. Ventilators and oxygen treatment may be beneficial in some circumstances.

The extent of the chemical injury and the duration of the exposure will determine whether the treatment is successful. As continuous chemical exposure damages the lungs, chronic chemical pneumonitis has more serious health effects. Chemical pneumonitis can cause respiratory failure and death if it is not recognized, treated, or treated only when it is severe.

How to Prevent Chemical Pneumonitis?

One can lower the possibility of developing chemical pneumonia by doing things like:

• Cleaning products should only be used as indicated and with caution.

• Make sure to use chemicals in a well-ventilated area whenever possible.

• Make sure employees are using the appropriate safety equipment and adhering to safety protocols when working with dangerous materials.

• Eat modest, frequent meals, avoid eating too close to bedtime, sit up while eating, and steer clear of trigger foods if one has reflux or aspiration.

What to Expect in the Hospital After Chemical Pneumonitis?

Depending on the patient's indications and symptoms, the diagnosis and course of treatment will change. The medical evaluation will typically be brief and targeted, the symptoms will frequently be modest, and the chemical will frequently be well-known.

• Sometimes, life-saving measures like artificial ventilation, enhanced cardiac life support, or sophisticated medical therapy are required in response to significant symptoms. The doctor will frequently ask local poison control specialists for guidance.

• The patient may need to go through decontamination measures, and the medical staff may need to wear protective clothing while treating the patient, as the doctor must first ensure that hospital employees are not in danger of exposure.

• Identifying the chemical and taking into account how it affects the lungs and the rest of the body comes next in importance after stabilizing the patient.

• A complete history will be taken, including the duration, location, form, concentration, other health issues, and symptoms of the chemical exposure. The doctor will examine the vital signs closely, including the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, temperature, and the amount of oxygen in the blood, as well as the eyes, nose, throat, skin, heart, lungs, and abdomen, at the very least.

• Following these actions, additional evaluation may differ based on the condition of the wounded party, the type of chemical exposure, and other elements.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Chemical Pneumonitis?

Anyone exhibiting severe symptoms or signs should be taken by ambulance as soon as possible to the closest hospital's emergency room, which is equipped to treat someone with chemical pneumonia. Chemical identification is beneficial to both the doctor and the poison control center. The chemical to which each person was exposed should be determined as quickly as possible, regardless of whether they have severe symptoms or little, if any, symptoms. However, this should not take the place of medical attention, especially for people who have serious symptoms or indicators. The following conditions require immediate assessment in an emergency room at a hospital:

• Unconsciousness.

• Cyanosis (blue staining of the skin or mouth).

• Having trouble breathing.

• Sudden voice change.

• Throat or mouth swelling.

• Chest discomfort.

• Breathing difficulty.

• Cough that produces foaming or bloody spit.

• Altered capacities for thought and reasoning.

• Exposure to a possibly fatal substance.

• Aspiration and vomiting.

Other ailments the patient might experience that are specific to the chemical and call for immediate attention may be suggested by the poison control service.

Conclusion

The way that chemical pneumonia develops and is treated is different from infectious kinds of pneumonia. It results from lung inflammation brought on by exposure to harmful substances. To prevent an incident when one is exposed to hazardous substances, one can take a few simple safety precautions. Seek emergency medical assistance if an event happens or if it appears someone could develop chemical pneumonitis.