Toxic pneumonitis from mixing household cleaners.

In the past year we have seen three cases of life-threatening toxic pneumonitis caused by exposure to mixtures of household ammonia and bleach. This particular mixture forms intermediary chloramine compounds that cause toxic pneumonitis. Each patient had a prolonged hospitalization and was left with symptomatic residual roentgenographic changes. Exposure to mixtures of household ammonia and bleach may be a frequent cause of acute pneumonitis that is not well recognized.