Fatal chemical pneumonitis due to cadmium fumes.
Acute exposure to high concentrations of cadmium fumes may cause acute chemical pneumonitis with a possibly fatal outcome. The etiologic diagnosis of acute cadmium intoxication from inhaled fumes may be difficult and can be confused with other forms of acute respiratory failure. We report on a case of a fit 53 year-old man who was exposed to cadmium fumes after flame-cutting an alloy containing around 10% of cadmium for a period of 60-75 minutes. He developed severe chemical pneumonitis and died 19 days after exposure.
Fernández
M A
MA
Hospital Vall d'Hebró, Barcelona, Spain.
Sanz
P
P
Palomar
M
M
Serra
J
J
Gadea
E
E
D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
D002104:Cadmium