Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology (대한임상독성학회지)

Korean society of Clincal Toxicology (대한임상독성학회)
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A one-year Follow-up Study of Patients Exposed to Chlorine Gas

염소가스 노출 환자의 1년간 추적관찰

  • Kwon, Hyuk-Sool (Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Sohn, You-Dong (Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ahn, Hee-Cheol (Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine) ;
  • Ahn, Ji-Yun (Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine)
  • 권혁술 (한림대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 손유동 (한림대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 안희철 (한림대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 안지윤 (한림대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Published : 2008.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: Chlorine gas is a common irritant that usually causes mild respiratory symptoms. One severe symptom, RADS (Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome), is not well known to physicians. We analyzed the clinical features of chlorine gas exposure. Methods: We prospectively collected 25 cases of chlorine gas exposure near our emergency center on January 10th, 2007, and analyzed demographic data, event-to-ER interval, symptoms, and laboratory results based on medical records. Results: Only 2 patients out of 25 were admitted because of severe symptoms, the rest were discharged without complications. Sixty percent of them visited the ER within 12 h of exposure. The most common symptoms were chest discomfort (60%), headache (40%), nausea (40%), throat irritation (26%), and cough (32%). Two out of eight dyspnea cases showed abnormal pulmonary function, but only one case was diagnosed as RADS. Conclusion: Most symptoms after chlorine gas exposure can be treated conservatively. However, patients with chlorine exposure should be followed up long term for delayed complications.

Keywords