Nitrogen tetroxide toxicity

Background

• N₂O₄ (NTO) is used as a propellant.
• In 1975 three astronauts on the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project were exposed to NTO during reetry and treated for pulmonary edema and chemical pneumonitis

Clinical Features

• Eye burning and tearing
• Cutaneous pruritis
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Pulmonary edema

Evaluation

• Xray (if available)

Management

• Supportive care after removal from the contaminated environment.