Two Cases of Inhalation Injury Caused by An Explosion of Two Different Chemical Disinfectants(Sodium Dichloroiso Cyanurate & Calcium Hypochlorite) in a Swimming Pool

수영장에서 소독제 분말 가스 폭발에 의한 흡입화상 2례

Of all toxic inhalant exposures, chlorine is one of the most common toxic chemical inhalants. When acutely inhaled, it can be responsible for symptoms ranging from upper air way irritation to more serious respiratory effects. It can also deteriorate lung function and lead to death. Chlorine and its compounds such as chlorinated cyanurates and hypochlorites are commonly used in water disinfection. The chemical agents discussed in this article are sodium dichloroiso cyanurate and calcium hypochlorite which are the two most popular products for swimming pool chlorination. They are both strong oxidizing agents which are soluble in water. Between the above two alkali agents, acid-base interaction occurred and generated heat. And the acid drove the combination of hypochlorous and chloride ions to form chlorine gas. We have experienced, two boys who had inhalation injuries caused by an accidental explosion which occurred in a swimming pool by mixing two different chlorinating agents : sodium dichloroiso cyanurate and calcium hypochlorite. The children suffered from respiratory difficulties after the exposure. They both required intensive care management and one needed the support of mechanical ventilation.

국내 소아에서는 아직 화학 물질 흡입화상에 대한 보고가 없는 상태로 저자들은 수영장 창고에서 수영장 물의 살균, 소독제인 이염화이소시안산 나트륨과 차아염소산 칼슘을 잘못 혼합하던 중 발생한 소독제 분말 가스 폭발 반응에 노출되어 급격한 호흡 곤란증이 있었던 증례 2례를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.