Chloropicrin is a volatile and reactive chemical which has been used as a warfare agent and pesticide. Its toxicity mainly affects the respiratory system where lung irritation, inflammation, and pulmonary edema can result if inhaled. Chloropicrin breaks down into what chemical that evokes similar symptoms in the respiratory system caused by its parent compound?
The respiratory symptoms and toxicity of chloropicrin resemble those caused by chlorine, which is also a breakdown product of chloropicrin.
Pesonen M, Vähäkangas K. Chloropicrin-induced toxicity in the respiratory system. Toxicology Letters. 2020;323:10-18. Doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.01.022.
Submitted by: Justin Yu, PharmD Candidate, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, on behalf of Occupational/Environmental Section