Acute respiratory distress following the inhalation of an aerosol upholstery cleaner: the importance of reporting from the Emergency Department.

Aerosols are commonplace in the home and in industry as they provide a quick and controlled way of distributing chemicals or perfumes. It is well known that deliberating concentrating and inhaling vapours may result in dizziness, euphoria, blackouts, respiratory distress, cardiac and renal failure. However, in the most part, warnings and guidance on use are sparse. Here, a proven case of acute respiratory distress is presented and a reporting mechanism via the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) directly from the Emergency Department (ED) is highlighted. In this case, as a result of our reporting, the aerosol was redesigned and redeployed as a trigger spray with better consumer guidance. Clinicians are reminded of the central role of the ED in the reporting of such hazards.