Treatment of acute chlorine gas inhalation with nebulized sodium bicarbonate.

Three male patients, 19 to 20 years old, were exposed to chlorine gas secondary to a leak in the chlorination system of an indoor pool. All of the patients were symptomatic with cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Physical examinations, arterial blood gases, and chest radiographs were normal. All patients were given a nebulized solution of 3.75% sodium bicarbonate which resulted in prompt relief of their symptoms. None of the patients suffered from prolonged symptomatology. This therapy appears to be useful in treating chlorine gas inhalation; however, it cannot be routinely recommended without prospective clinical studies evaluating its efficacy and safety.