• Joana Almeida Borges, Fátima Fradinho, and António Jorge Ferreira.
• Serviço de Pneumologia. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Portugal.
• Acta Medica Port. 2023 Apr 3; 36 (4): 275277275-277.

AbstractPneumonitis associated with fluoropolymer waterproofing agents, an entity with few reported cases, can result from occupational exposure. This condition has a rapid onset after exposure, usually resolves with supportive treatment but there could be chronic sequelae. The authors report the case of a 48-year-old male patient admitted to hospital with acute onset of dyspnea and chest pain after using an aerosolized fluoropolymer-containing waterproofing product. He presented tachypnea, leukocytosis, elevated C reactive protein, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities with peribronchovascular distribution. The patient was treated with oxygen and corticosteroid therapy, with clinical improvement. This chemical pneumonitis represents a diagnostic challenge since it implies a history of exposure to toxic agents and the pathophysiological mechanisms and safe exposure limits are still unknown.

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