Nitrogen dioxide-induced pulmonary disease: five new cases and a review of the leterature.
Twenty-three patients exposed to nitrogen dioxide in agriculture or industry were referred to the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. Eighteen experienced a transient upper respiratory tract syndrome; five developed pulmonary edema or bronchiolitis obliterans. This latter group responded to steroid therapy but all demonstrated evidence of persistent pulmonary dysfunction on follow-up studies. Combining our findings with those in the literature we concluded: (1) exposure to NO2 is more common than generally appreciated; (2) case fatality is high--29% for silo-filler's disease; (3) steroids are effective therapy and should be continued for at least eight weeks; (4) although the majority recover without significant sequelae, some individuals may develop persistent functional abnormalities; (5) there is no evidence that long-term exposure to low concentrations of NO2 leads to chronic airway obstruction; and, (6) NO2-induced pulmonary disease could be elminated with appropriate preventive measures.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013577:Syndrome
D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide; D011241:Prednisone