Chlorine poisoning caused by improper mixing of household disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic:Case series  

作　　者：Guo-Dong Lin Jie-Yi Wu Xiao-Bo Peng Xiao-Xia Lu Zhong-Ying Liu Zhi-Guo Pan Ze-Wu Qiu Jian-Guang Dong 

机构地区：[1]Department of Critical Care Medicine,General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA,Guangzhou 510010,Guangdong Province,China [2]Senior Department of Hematology,The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital,Beijing 100071,China

出　　处：《World Journal of Clinical Cases》2022年第25期8872-8879,共8页世界临床病例杂志

基　　金：Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81873116。

摘　　要：BACKGROUND Misuse of disinfectants during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to several poisoning incidents.However,there are few clinical case reports on poisoning caused by improper mixing of household disinfectants.AIM To summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment effects of chlorine poisoning caused by improper mixing of hypochlorite bleach with acidic cleaning agents.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed baseline and clinical data,clinical symptoms,and treatment methods of seven patients with chlorine poisoning who were admitted to the National Army Poisoning Treatment Center.RESULTS Among the seven patients,the average poisoning time(exposure to admission)was 57 h(4-240 h).All patients were involved in cleaning bathrooms.Chest computed tomography scans revealed bilateral lung effusions or inflammatory changes in five patients.The partial pressure of oxygen decreased in six patients,and respiratory failure occurred in one.Five patients had different degrees of increase in white blood cell count.Humidified oxygen therapy,non-invasive mechanical ventilation,anti-inflammatory corticosteroids,antioxidants,and antibiotics were administered for treatment.The average length of hospital stay was 7 d(4-9 d).All seven patients recovered and were discharged.CONCLUSION Improper mixing of household disinfectants may cause damage to the respiratory system due to chlorine poisoning.Corticosteroids may improve lung exudation in severe cases,and symptomatic supportive treatment should be performed early.

关 键 词：Hypochlorite bleach Acidic cleaning agents Chlorine poisoning Toxic lung injury Household disinfectant 

分 类 号：R595[医药卫生—内科学]