Chest
Zinc Chloride (Smoke Bomb) Inhalational Lung Injury
Section snippets
CASE REPORT
The patient is a 20-year-old Caucasian man who was exposed to a military smoke grenade inside a dosed civilian vehicle. The duration of his exposure was uncertain, but was estimated to be five minutes. He was evaluated at a local emergency room three hours after exposure, complaining of pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, a choking sensation in his pharynx, and tightness throughout his chest. Inspiratory and expiratory wheezes were heard on auscultation of the chest. Arterial blood gas
DISCUSSION
Chemical smoke consists of small solid or liquid particles which become hydrated in contact with air and intercept or diffuse the light. Several methods of producing smoke by dispersing fine particles of zinc chloride have been developed. The mixture in common use contains hexachloroethane, aluminum, and zinc oxide. When used correctly, these particles of zinc chloride deliquesce rapidly in the air. The smoke can be harmless if it is used in open areas and in an atmosphere where there is enough
REFERENCES (4)
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Acute interstitial pulmonary fibrosis caused by a smoke bomb
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Cited by (40)
Metals and the respiratory tract
2021, Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals: Fifth EditionMetals and the respiratory tract
2021, Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals: Volume I: General ConsiderationsZinc chloride-induced TRPA1 activation does not contribute to toxicity in vitro
2018, Toxicology LettersCitation Excerpt :Surprisingly, there are no general recommendations to wear personal protective equipment like respirators during the release of smoke grenades or when operating near the smoke screen. A plethora of clinical respiratory symptoms including laryngeal, tracheal, and bronchial mucosal edema and ulceration, interstitial fibrosis, alveolar obliteration, interstitial edema, and bronchiolitis obliterans have been associated with inhalation of ZnCl2 smoke (Matarese and Matthews, 1986; Cao et al., 2016; Truven Health Analytics, 2017). Moreover, mild, moderate, or severe irritation, pain and burns of the skin, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure, have been reported (Truven Health Analytics, 2017).
Zinc chloride (smoke bomb) inhalation lung injury: Clinical presentations, high-resolution CT findings, and pulmonary function test results
2005, ChestCitation Excerpt :The exact mechanism by which ARDS is triggered remains unclear, although there is evidence of involvement of the release of proinflammatory cytokines.4 Pneumomediastinum and/or pneumothorax have been reported in patients with ZCSII.345617 These conditions may follow severe strain or cough induced by exposure to a variety of toxic agents such as chlorine gas18 and oxides of nitrogen.19
Pulmonary damage after modest exposure to zinc chloride smoke
1999, Respiratory Medicine
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.