Document NG76DjERwJB59K1ymp2YZaRGg

p. 1 Congress reports : EPIDEMY OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS LINKED TO USE . . . Page 1 of I Ag CONGRESSREPORT S EPIDEMY OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS LINKED TO USE OF WATERPROOFING TEXTILE AND LEATHER SPRA Y Kupferschmidt H . Swiss Toxicological Information Centre, and Divison of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland . Background : Acute respiratory symptoms after use of aerosol leather conditioner or textile waterproofing sprays have been reported in the literature on several occasions . These cases occurred after the sprays had been reformulated . The pneumotoxic effects have been attributed in part to the waterproofing fluorocarbon polymers and the solvents, with the mist particle size being the critical parameter for toxicity . Case series : Our poison center has become aware of a sharp increase of cases of respiratory symptoms after use of two recently reformulated textile and leather sprays during the last few weeks of 2002 . Whereas the average annual number of similar cases was 5 to 10 during the last 7 years, it totalled to 45 in 2002 and to 108 during the first three months of 2003 . Symptoms involved cough, shortness of breath, inability to smoke, and tachycardia . Some of the patients were admitted to hospital with fever, malaise, decreased arterial oxygen saturation, and pulmonary infiltrates . All patients recovered, although a few stayed in the hospital for up to 8 days . The sprays involved were withdrawn from the market . The particular reasons for this overt toxicity are not yet clear and are currently under investigation . Conclusion : This observations and the previously reported epidemics demonstrate that reformulation of aerosol waterproofing sprays may lead to a marked increase of respiratory toxicity, most probably due to a decrease in mist particle size . Poison centers are particularly able to detect such effects at an early stage and warn the population and the autorities . We suggest that determination of particle size in such sprays becomes a mandatory feature in product regulation . North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, Chicago, IL, Sept 4-9, 2003 Neueste Literatur / Litterature nouvelle / Latest literature http ://www .toxi .ch/eng/congres_1060097730_9016 .html 4/11/2006