Aromatic hydrocarbons aspiration

Respiratory Effects. Pulmonary edema was observed in a patient after an attempted suicide with endrin and was thought to be due to chemical pneumonitis following aspiration of aromatic hydrocarbons contained in the ingested formulation. The authors state that the hydrocarbons may have been the cause of the pulmonary effects (Runhaar et al. 1985), since hydrocarbon-induced chemical pneumonitis is a well established clinical entity. 

Acute inhalation or aspiration of ingested aliphatic or aromatic petroleum hydrocarbons of low viscosity can lead to pulmonary irritation and hydrocarbon pneumonia, an acute hemorrhagic necrotizing disease. To counteract secondary bacterial infections and pulmonary edema, antibiotics and oxygen therapy are often applied when indicated by symptoms in particular patients (Klaassen... 

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