A case report of ammonium sulfate inhalation

Abstract

Ammonium sulfate is widely used in agriculture and the leather trade in many countries. Although it is reported to have potential effects on respiratory, gastrointestinal systems and the skin, there are a few case reports and toxicological studies about ammonium sulfate intoxication after ingestion and there is no case about ammonium sulfate inhalation. Thus, we report the clinical and laboratory findings of a patient who inhaled ammonium sulfate gas due to a work accident and was brought to our emergency department directly from the factory. When he arrived, loss of consciousness, cyanosis, tachypnea and metabolic acidosis were observed and convulsions were reported before arrival at the emergency department. After intubation and mechanical ventilator support in the emergency department, he was admitted to the intensive care unit, was given a T tube - mechanic ventilator support and was discharged in a healthy condition on the 8th day of admission. Ammonium sulfate intoxication should be suspected for the patients which brought from the leather industry or an agricultural environment, who inhaled bad or dense odored material, and had loss of consciousness, convulsions, acidosis and respiratory failure.