Comments
Symptoms: flu-like illness with chest tightness and mild cough;
Signs: leukocytosis; normal chest x-ray;
Onset after exposure: 4-8 hours;
Heavy exposure to: pyrolysis products of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, trade names Fluon, Teflon, Halon);
Resolution: within 48 hours;
Comments: Polymer fume fever occurs when PTFE is heated above 300 degrees C. When PTFE is heated above 450 degrees C., the pyrolysis products are different and may cause acute lung injury if controls to enclose the fume have not been installed. [Rom, p. 412-3]