What is Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity?
Fluorocarbons are made-up substances that include fluorinated carbon chain polymers. They’re found in many everyday household items and commercial products. They’re used for waterproofing, as lubricants, sealants, and even in leather conditioners.
Interestingly, these products have been connected to random cases of respiratory illness. The symptoms of this illness include difficulty breathing (dyspnea), coughing, and chest pain. Although it usually gets better on its own, severe exposure can cause serious breathing problems, an extreme respiratory condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in some cases, it can even lead to death.
Despite efforts, it is challenging to study how fluoropolymers, a type of fluorocarbon, cause respiratory illness in humans. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the exact make-up of these products is often kept secret by their creators. Secondly, these products are frequently reformulated, making it hard to keep track. Lastly, the presence of fluorocarbon might not be listed on product labels or safety data sheets if it is only used in small amounts.
What Causes Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity?
Fluoropolymers, also known as fluorocarbons or perfluorocarbons, are substances found in many everyday items and commercial products. They are most often part of products designed to make things waterproof. They’re also found in products like lubricants, sealants, and leather conditioners.
According to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), fluoropolymers are simply molecules made up only of carbon and fluorine. However, sometimes the term ‘fluoropolymers’ can also refer to substances that include other types of molecules along with carbon and fluorine (these are known as fluorocarbon derivatives).
Risk Factors and Frequency for Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
Fluoropolymer-related respiratory illness is a growing health problem as it has affected large groups of people multiple times. In certain instances, many people have experienced respiratory problems after being exposed to fluoropolymers. The instance of this problem tends to rise during the winter months.
Symptoms of this illness tend to appear quickly, within minutes or hours after a person is exposed to fluoropolymers. Generally, those who handle fluoropolymers directly are affected the most. However, it’s also been discovered that even second-hand exposure to fluoropolymers can lead to this respiratory illness.
Signs and Symptoms of Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
Fluoropolymer-related respiratory illness is a condition that often mimics a type of disease known as polymer fume fever. This condition mainly affects the respiratory system, causing shortness of breath and a dry cough without producing much mucus. It can also give you flu-like symptoms.
In addition to these, a doctor examining a patient with this condition might notice signs such as a high body temperature (fever), an unusually fast heart rate (tachycardia), signs of struggle or effort when breathing, and unusual sounds when the patient breathes, such as wheezes or crackles (rales).
Testing for Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
If you’re feeling unwell and your doctor suspects that you might have an inflammation in your body, they will usually order some common blood tests. These include tests to detect if you have an unusually high number of white blood cells (a condition known as leukocytosis) and to measure the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood, which increases when there’s inflammation in the body.
One of the things that could potentially disrupt your body’s normal functions is exposure to fluorocarbons, which contain fluorine, an element that sticks tightly to other charged particles or ions like calcium. This tight binding with calcium could theoretically lead to a condition known as hypocalcemia, where there is very little calcium in the blood. This condition often occurs after exposure to hydrofluoric acid.
However, there’s only been one reported case where someone developed hypocalcemia after exposure to fluorocarbons. Fortunately, in this case, the patient did not develop any serious health issues like abnormal heart rhythms or other bad effects.
Your doctor might also request chest x-rays if they suspect that there’s a problem inside your chest, like pneumonia. This imaging test can reveal areas of density or shadowing (called infiltrates) in your lungs, which can indicate the presence of certain diseases.
Treatment Options for Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
If you’ve been exposed to harmful substances and you’re having difficulty breathing, the first steps doctors usually take are to remove you from the exposure, get you to fresh air, and supply you with extra oxygen. These steps alone can often be enough to help.
Some people who’ve been exposed to harmful substances might have a reaction like bronchospasm, where the muscles in the airways tighten up and make it harder to breathe. In these cases, doctors might use inhaled medications called beta-2 adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids. These medicines help to relax the muscles in the airways and reduce inflammation, making it easier to breathe.
In more serious cases, doctors might need to use measures like non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, which is a way of helping you breathe without having to put a tube down your throat. In extreme cases, they might need to use endotracheal intubation, which involves placing a tube into the windpipe through the mouth or nose to assist with breathing.
Doctors often use antibiotics in cases where they believe that a respiratory infection might be happening as well. These medications are reserved for this kind of situation. They kill bacteria and help your body fight off the infection.
What else can Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity be?
There are several types of toxicities and poisonings that people can experience due to various substances. These include:
- Arsenic toxicity
- Plant poisoning caused by cardiac glycosides
- Chlorine toxicity
- Toxicity from cough, cold, and allergy preparations
- Toxicity from mushrooms causing effects similar to disulfiram
- Gyromitra mushroom toxicity
- Toxicity caused by hallucinogenic mushrooms
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Herb poisoning
- Burns caused by hydrofluoric acid
- Liquorice poisoning
- Orellanine mushroom toxicity
- Scombroid toxicity
- Vitamin toxicity
What to expect with Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
In most cases, patients tend to get better within 24 hours. According to one study, about half of the reported cases needed to be admitted to the hospital.
Symptoms related to the lungs, such as shortness of breath or coughing, might persist longer than other symptoms like feeling sick or having a fever. In more serious cases, there have been instances of severe lung problems, intense breathing difficulties and, in rare instances, death.
Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
While most people make a complete recovery, there have been cases where long-term lung problems and a condition called pulmonary fibrosis develop.
Issues that can arise:
- Chronic lung abnormalities
- Development of pulmonary fibrosis
Preventing Fluorides and Fluorocarbons Toxicity
Maintaining good hygiene is important in avoiding exposure to harmful substances. This can be done by using personal protective equipment, working in areas with good ventilation (preferably outdoors), washing hands frequently and avoiding smoking. It’s beneficial to reduce exposure to byproducts of burning or decomposition (known as pyrolysis products). It’s also recommended to use a paintbrush to apply these products when possible, instead of spraying them into the air, as spraying can release more of these volatilized (turned into vapor) substances.
