Lung function after acute chlorine exposure
Chlorine gas, spreading from a train derailment, caused the deaths of 8 persons and the hospitalization of 23 with sublethal respiratory injuries. Twenty-five others had at least one sign of lower respiratory abnormality but were not hospitalized. One hundred thirteen who were examined for gas effects in the forty-eight hours after exposure, including 20 of 23 of those hospitalized and 21 of 25 of those not hospitalized but with respiratory abnormality, participated in follow-up studies. Probability of admission to hospital was related to distance from the spill, but by 3 wk after exposure there was no detectable difference in lung function relating to distance or apparent severity of injury. In 60 adults tested multiple times over the following 6 yr, longitudinal change in lung function showed expected differences related to smoking but none related to distance or severity of injury. The average annual change in FEV was -34 ml/yr in current smokers and -18 ml/yr in ex and never-smokers. The lack of a discernible chlorine effect in this cohort accords with the findings in most previous studies. Without pre-exposure measurements, a single, lasting reduction in lung function cannot be excluded, but there is no evidence for a persisting abnormal rate of decline.
- Research Organization:
- Tulane Univ. School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
- OSTI ID:
- 6840413
- Journal Information:
- Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Vol. 6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Five-year longitudinal study of workers employed in a new toluene diisocyanate manufacturing plant
Relationship between acute ozone responsiveness and chronic loss of lung function in residents of a high-ozone community
Related Subjects
CHLORINE
HEALTH HAZARDS
ACCIDENTS
ACUTE EXPOSURE
DEATH
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FLORIDA
HUMAN POPULATIONS
TOXICITY
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
HALOGENS
HAZARDS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
POPULATIONS
USA
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology