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Choking/Lung/Pulmonary Agents (Irritant/Corrosive - Inhalation Toxidrome)

Choking/lung/pulmonary agents are chemicals that cause severe irritation or swelling of the respiratory tract (lining of the nose, throat, and lungs). Chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, and phosgene cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, cough, wheezes, and dypsnea, also known as Irritant Gas Syndrome.

Concise toxidrome definition: Immediate effects to the respiratory/pulmonary tract presenting as nasal and oral secretions, coughing, wheezing, and/or respiratory distress that may progress to rapid systemic toxicity.

Rationale or reasoning for toxidrome decisions: A secondary pulmonary syndrome is not needed because the inhalation exposure and the pulmonary tract have a likelihood of similar exposure. Spectrum of injury presentation suggests a combination of upper and lower pulmonary into one toxidrome is appropriate for use by first responders. Initial assessment will focus on general respiratory complaints which will not differentiate between upper and lower pulmonary injury. The initial treatment will be similar.

Issues or concerns about this toxidrome: Lower pulmonary agents will in their ideal presentation be noted by the absence of upper pulmonary and mucus membrane signs and symptoms. Odor may be used for specific agent recognition. Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) specific antidote (calcium), there may be systemic effects after absorption (cardiac).

Inhalation Irritant/Corrosive examples of industrial chemicals and potential chemical warfare/terrorism agents: Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA, e.g., Phosgene), Toxic Industrials Chemicals/Toxic Industrial Materials (TICs/TIMs, e.g., chlorine, ammonia, and riot control agents).

The clinically relevant routes of exposure and types of sources: Mouth, nose, and mucosal membranes.

The organ systems generally affected: Upper pulmonary- upper respiratory tract to include airway and bronchi; Lower pulmonary- air space and alveoli.

The initial signs and symptoms: Respiratory distress, increased respiratory rate (shallow and/or rapid), shortness of breath, plus or minus secretions (e.g., drooling, mucus), coughing, use of accessory muscles for breathing (tri-pod position). Upper pulmonary- effects are immediate - wheezing, stridor, nasal and oral secretions (drooling, mucus), excessive eye tearing/lacrimation. Lower pulmonary- effects are progressive - absent breath sounds, rhonchi, rales.

A progression of signs and symptoms includes: Bronchial spasm, respiratory failure (e.g. cyanotic, apnea). Irritant symptoms are immediate signs and symptoms which typically are upper pulmonary, with classic pulmonary disease are delayed. However, they can all lead to respiratory failure if left untreated (affects oxygenation and ventilation).

The underlying pathology, biological processes, or modes of action include: Upper respiratory- bronchospasm, highly soluble agents. Lower respiratory- air space disease.

Common treatment protocol, specific antidotes and key supportive measures: Oxygen, bronchodilators, corticosteroid, mechanical ventilation, suction, (Sodium Bicarbonate).

Source:
Report to the Toxic Chemical Syndrome Definitions and Nomenclature Workshop (PDF - 2.01 MB) (DHS, NLM, May, 2012)

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Information from Other Resources

Resource Comparison

Information from CDC, WISER, and CAMEO
Emergency Response Safety and Health Database (CDC/NIOSH) More Information Close ERSH-DB is a occupational safety and health database developed by NIOSH for the emergency response community. Contains high-priority agents in terrorist events Information includes: Agent characteristics Personal protective equipment Emergency response Signs/symptoms Decontamination First aid Long-term implications On-site fatalities Occupational exposure limits Acute expousre guidelines Decontamination (environmental and equipment) Agent properties Hazardous materials warning labels/placards Trade names and other synonyms Who to contact in an emergency Important notice Ammonia Solution; Ammonia, Anhydrous Chlorine Chloropicrin (PS) Mercury (Elemental) Phosgene (CG) Phosphine WISER (NIH/NLM) More Information Close WISER is a system designed to assist first responders in HAZMAT incidents. Data derived from HSDB and DOT Emergency Response Guidebook Information includes: Substance identification Protective equipment/clothing Protective distance Fire fighting procedures Reactivities/incompatibilities Treatment overview and many more... Ammonia Bromine Chlorine Hydrogen Chloride Methyl Bromide Methyl Isocyanate Phosgene Phosphine Phosphorus, Elemental CAMEO (EPA, NOAA) More Information Close CAMEO is a database of response information for thousands of hazardous materials MyChemicals: build a customized list of chemicals Predicts reactivity of 2 chemicals Information includes: Chemical identifiers Hazards Response recommendations Physical properties Regulatory information Alternate chemical names Ammonia Solutions Bromine Chlorine Hydrochloric Acid, Solution Methyl Bromide Methyl Isocyanate Osmium Tetroxide Diphosgene Phosgene Phosphine Phosphorus, [Black] Sulfuryl Fluoride	Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures (CDC/ATSDR) More Information Close MMGs for Acute Chemical Exposures were developed by ATSDR to aid emergency department physicians and other emergency healthcare professionals. Guidelines for managing acute exposures resulting from chemical incidents Information includes: Basic chemical and exposure information Summary of potential health effects Prehospital management information Emergency department management information Information for the patient Ammonia Chlorine Hydrogen Chloride Methyl Bromide Methyl Isocyanate Phosgene Phosgene Oxime Phosphine Chemical Emergencies (CDC) More Information Close A collection of CDC resources for professionals, including: Case definition Toxic syndrome description Toxicology profiles Training First responders Medical management Emergency response cards Lab info Surveillance Preparation & planning Ammonia Bromine Chlorine Methyl Bromide Methyl Isocyanate Osmium Tetroxide Phosgene Phosphine Phosphorus, Elemenetal, white or yellow Sulfuryl Fluoride

Additional Resources:

ChemIDplus - Chemical dictionary, structures, and links to many Internet resources (NIH/NLM)
Ammonia, Bromine, Chlorine, Hydrogen Chloride, Methyl Bromide, Methyl Isocyanate, Osmium Tetroxide, Diphosgene, Phosgene, Phosphine, Phosphorus Sulfuryl Fluoride

Hazardous Substances Data Bank - Comprehensive, peer-reviewed toxicology data (NIH/NLM)
Ammonia, Bromine, Chlorine, Hydrogen Chloride, Methyl Bromide, Methyl Isocyanate, Osmium Tetroxide, Diphosgene, Phosgene, Phosphine, Phosphorus, Elemental, Sulfuryl Fluoride

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