Effects of inhaling disinfectants

Any information/experience on effects of inhaling disinfectants, namely Steriphene II?

Occupational Asthma, Specialist, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

Steriphene II is a sterilising agent containing phenol as its principal biocide. It is likely to contain fragrances as well which are not listed on the data sheet (some are possible causes of asthma). As far as I am aware there are no published reports of occupational asthma due to phenol, although I have a pharmacist who says he gets very severe respiratory reactions to minute exposures. In my opinion any biocide which acts by denaturing protein, and which can be inhaled, is a potential cause of asthma. The cause being a combination of the biocide and the altered protein. Published cases have been caused by glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, chlorhexidine, isothiozolinones, chloramine T and chlorine (as nitrogen trichloride). There are reports of occupational asthma due to phenol formaldehyde, used as a plastic. The cause has been the formaldehyde liberated during heating. Any further information on your patient would be interesting.

2/20/2006