Background: An aerosol spray for leather protection was reformulated to remove trichloroethane. The new formulation contained isobutane, n-heptane, ethyl acetate and fluoroaliphatics.
Retrospective review: Thirty-nine patients reported symptoms to the regional poison center. Respiratory symptoms developed within hours of exposure. Most symptoms resolved within two days. Abnormal pulmonary function tests, including obstructive disease or diminished diffusing capacity, were demonstrated in three of the four tested patients.
Conclusions: The mechanism for the pulmonary toxicity has not been determined.