title: Acute lung injury following refrigeration coil deicing.
abstract: We report a case of a worker who developed ALI requiring mechanical ventilatory support after attempting to melt ice condensate by applying the flame of an oxy-acetylene torch to refrigeration coils charged with a halocarbon refrigerant in a closed environment. A discussion of possible etiologies are discussed, including phosgene, carbonyl fluoride, and nitrogen oxides. Primary prevention with adequate respiratory protection is recommended whenever deicing is performed in a closed space environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Poison Center & Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. mckeownn@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Nathanael J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: McKeown
authors.forename: Brent T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000506:poisoning; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000506:poisoning; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010705:Phosgene / Q000506:poisoning; D012034:Refrigeration; D012121:Respiration, Artificial
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007053:Ice; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D010705:Phosgene; C548957:carbonyl fluoride