FATAL ACUTE PULMONARY-EDEMA AFTER INHALATION OF FUMES FROM POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE)

The cases of three patients with acute pulmonary oedema caused by inha lation of fumes from heated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a plasti c factory are described. One patient died from profound hypoxaemia and shock shortly after admission, and the other two patients survived af ter medical treatment, This is the first report of fatal pulmonary oed ema in a worker exposed to PTFE heated in a plastic extruding operatio n, From this observation, it appears that inhalation exposure to pyrol ytic products from polytetrafluoroethylene can cause fatal respiratory complications. Special precautions are warranted in this kind of oper ation to prevent workers from being exposed to these substances.