Scouring powder may contain silica as an abrasive agent. Inhalation of the powder can result in pulmonary silicosis.
People at risk:
(1) people making scouring powder
(2) people exposed to the powder in an enclosed space
(3) people intentionally inhaling the powder as a compulsion or variant of pica
(4) people trying to commit self-harm
If relatively purer silica is used then the patient may have acute silicosis with alveolar proteinosis.
Clinical findings:
(1) dyspnea which may progress despite discontinuation of exposure
(2) low-grade fever
(3) chronic cough
(4) wheezing
(5) variable autoimmune disorder with or without vasculitis
(6) eventual progression to pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, cor pulmonale and right heart failure
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
