Severe asthma and ARDS triggered by acute short-term exposure to commonly used cleaning detergents

Abstract

This report presents a case of severe asthmatic attack and adult respiratory distress syndrome, which occurred in an asthmatic subject following acute short-term exposure to commonly used cleaning detergents. Premorbid lung conditions, i.e. asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness, might have been risk factors for illness severity but not for persistent complaints. This case report indicates that nonindustrial exposures due to household product misuse, especially to mixing cleaning agents, may cause adult respiratory distress syndrome and not only irritant-induced asthma. (C) ERS Journals Ltd 2000.