[Polymer fume fever[].

Polymer fume fever is a self-limiting condition with influenza-like symptoms (fever, headache, dry cough, dyspnoea and myalgia). It is caused by inhalation of toxic products released by combustion of fluoro-carbon polymers. There is no causal treatment, and the symptoms usually clear up spontaneously within 24 hours. This article describes an accident where 13 soldiers became ill when exposed to fumes released from a tent oven painted with a coating containing fluoro-carbons.