[Pulmonary edema and pericarditis after inhalation of Teflon fumes]

Inhalation of fumes from pyrolysis of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) is known to cause polymer fume fever, a mild syndrome of influenza-like symptoms of short duration. Occasionally more severe reactions occur. Several cases of pulmonary edema have been reported, only one of which was fatal. We report a case history of pulmonary edema and pericarditis following inhalation of fumes from grinding a Teflon coated surface. Pericarditis has not been reported previously in connection with polymer fume reactions. We discuss various aspects of such reactions, with reference to the case and to selected literature.