Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome following exposure to a fluorocarbon

This report describes the case of a 43-yr-old male who developed reactive a irways dysfunction syndrome after exposure to a high level of bromotrifluor omethane (CF3Br, Halon 1301), a fluorocarbon widely used in automatic fire extinguishing systems. The patient was a previously healthy, nonatopic male , who developed wheezing and intermittent and reversible obstructive ventil atory impairment starting immediately after a large accidental nonfire-rela ted release of CF3Br in a confined space.