Reversible airways obstruction and interstitial pneumonitis due to acetic acid.

Industrial exposure to gases and fumes may produce a wide variety of respiratory damage including tracheobronchial inflammation and parenchymal damage.1 Tracheobronchial inflammation is reported, particularly after exposure to chlorine, ammonia, and sulphur dioxide. Interstitial pneumonitis has been associated with the inhalation of oxides of nitrogen,2 cadmium,3 manganese,4 mercury,5 and resins contain ing trimellitic anhydride.6 We report a patient who developed both reversible airways obstruction and steroid responsive interstitial pneumonitis after accidental exposure to glacial acetic acid.